Peggy Bell

Peggy Lou Bell passed away peacefully to her Heavenly home on August 1, 2019 at Peachtree Retirement Village in Roswell, NM where she had lived since 2016.

Peggy was born on November 8, 1927 in Cisco, TX to W.R. High (Papa) and Alta Faye Russell (Mama Jim). She created a home and raised her four children in Loco Hills, NM since 1957. Peggy always joked that each of her four children were her favorite and with her kind and loving spirit, each one of them felt it. Peggy worked at I & W Hot Oil Service in Loco Hills, NM for 35 years before her retirement in 1992. She was elected to the Penasco Valley Telephone Board of Directors in 1987 where she served until 2012. Many residents of Loco Hills considered Peggy the Mayor of Loco Hills and even presented her with a license plate that read “Mayor of Loco Hills NM”.

Peggy enjoyed traveling, OU and Dallas Cowboy Football, relaxing outside with her family and friends, driving fast cars, dancing, and live music. Many parties were held on her patio where her love of live music was played and shared and she continued this tradition even after moving to Peachtree Retirement Village.

Peggy was endearingly called Mom or Ma Bell by many.  Making friends came natural to her and she never met a stranger. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, quick wit, easy laughter, and fun-loving nature. She was an exceptional listener yet never passed judgement.  Her generous nature and willingness to lend a hand to loved ones and strangers alike gifted us with a precious rarity.  In her memory, may we all be reminded of how deeply connected we are through the love of family and friends, to love one another abundantly and that each minute together is a gift to be treasured.

Those left to cherish Peggy’s memory are children Peggy Anderson and husband Glen of Tularosa, NM, Fred Malone and wife Jackie of Bartlesville, OK, Ron Malone and wife Brenda of Roswell, NM, Bobbie Ann Cortese and husband Knox of Fort Sumner, NM. She also was also blessed with 8 grandchildren, 8 great - grandchildren, and 5 great – great - grandchildren along with a wealth of friends she considered to be family.

Preceding her in death are parents Papa and Mama Jim High, husband Dwane Wallace Bell and great - grandson Ethen John Lilly.

The family would like to extend their thanks to Juana Carabajal and her other caregivers, the staff at Peachtree Retirement Village and Encompass Hospice for loving and caring for our mother with kindness and compassion.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, August 9, 2019 at Woodbine Cemetery, Artesia, NM with Belton Matthews officiating.

In lieu of flowers, Peggy and her family have requested donations be made in her memory to: Assurance Home, 1000 E. 18th Street, Roswell, NM 88201.