Mary Ragsdale

Mary Naomi Bates Ragsdale was born September 18, 1927 at her grandfather's house in Elk, New Mexico.

She went to the place Jesus prepared for her on February 7th. A memorial service will be held March 12, 2016 at 2:00 PM in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church. A reception will be held for friends and family immediately following the service at the Liberty, 312 N. Virginia.

Her parents were Carrie Serena Schrier Bates and Leslie Thomas Bates. She has three brothers, all deceased, Jesse, Bill and younger brother Eugene. She is survived by her sisters, Serena Sue Forneau and Carrie Lou Foote. She is also survived by her sons and their families: Ralph and Janet - Carrie and husband Michael, and Ty; Doug and Cheryl - Rick and wife Donna, Ray and wife Kelly, and Rene and husband Joel; Paul and Cindy - Luke and wife Adriann and Josh and wife Megan; George and Jana - Zachary and Jacob. She leaves behind 15 great grandchildren, and a whole bunch of nieces, nephews and friends who all called her Nano.

Her family moved to California to try to make a living when Mary was two weeks old. After two years they moved back to the home place at Elk. Mary went to school at the Upper Penasco School. She started riding horseback behind one of her older brothers. In the fourth grade she rode horseback to school and walked home, because "that durned old horse wouldn't let me get on." She graduated from Hope High School in the spring of 1945. The next fall, she started college at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales. She was the first person in her family to attend college.

Mary married the love of her life, Luther E. Ragsdale on Friday June 13, 1947 in her parent's front yard. They moved to Weatherford, Oklahoma for six months while he finished Refrigeration School. Then they moved to Roswell, where they made their home. He preceded her in death in March 1995. In 1953 they moved to the house in south Roswell where she resided until her passing. There they raised their sons. It was the base for continuous trips to baseball, football, soccer games and practices, horse shows, graduations and weddings.

Mary was involved in many activities through the years. She was instrumental in starting Trinity Methodist Day School and taught there for about 10 years. She was active in Trinity UMC, serving as Sunday School Director, Youth Director and Chairman of Trustees, among other duties. Mary held many offices in the United Methodist Women, both at Trinity and First UMC. She was Statewide President and a National Delegate for New Mexico UMW. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Wesley Foundation at ENMU - Portales. Mary was active in the Roswell chapter of the American Business Women's Association, serving as president 1981 - 1982. In 1981 she was named Woman of the Year. She attended the National Convention twice.

Mary was a true pioneer. She was born and raised in Chaves County, living here for all but two of her 88 years. She will be missed, but not mourned, for she lived a full life and lived it well. She loved her family and friends. She loved The Lord. Psalm 121 was her strength and comfort, "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. ... The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life...". She has gone on to reap her sweet reward.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made for the Bataan Scholarship. Make checks payable to: American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Memorial Society, 23 Elwell Road, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Service

First United Methodist Church
200 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
Roswell, NM  88201
Saturday, March 12, 2016
2:00 pm

Cemetery

Ballard Crematory
910 S. Main Street
Roswell, NM  88203

Memorial Contributions

American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Memorial Society
23 Elwell Road
Jamaica Plain, MA  02130