Ray Stephens

Ray G. Stephens: April 9, 1935 – August 13, 2019.

Memorial Services for Ray G. Stephens will be held on Friday August 23, 2019 at the Lindell Andrews Community Center in Hagerman, NM. Ray passed away peacefully, in his home, the night of August 13, 2019. Services will begin at 10:00 am followed by fellowship and lunch.

Ray G. Stephens was born April 9, 1935 in Cottonwood, NM, the 4th of 6 children of James L. Stephens and Eva Ann (Jones) Stephens. He grew up in Artesia along with his brothers and sisters as a close-knit family. He began his career at a young age working in the oilfields. He married Tommie Jo Beaty and moved to Hagerman, NM where he raised his family for the next 35 years. He volunteered for the Hagerman Fire Department and served on Hagerman Town Council. He worked for Leonard George and Lankford Feed Pens as a foreman before going into business for himself. He was the sole owner of Ray Stephens Welding and Water Well Drilling.

Ray married Lois Ruth (Wilson) Stephens on July 15,1995 in Hagerman, NM. Together they raised their daughter and ranched in New Mexico and Oklahoma. The last ­22 years he looked forward to his mornings at Toby’s Café for breakfast and coffee at the infamous round table with his friends exchanging fascinating stories.

Lois survives him at the family home in Hagerman. He is also survived by his sister Laverne Miller of Las Vegas, NV,9* daughter, Pamela Beth Petterson of Hagerman, NM, his son, Clayton Ray Stephens and wife Cindy of Knoxville, TN, his daughter Cairene Denese Smith and husband Shay of Pawnee, OK and his daughter Ruth Ann Stephens of Las Cruces, NM. Ray has 6 grandchildren, Amanda Mason of Carlsbad, NM, Kami Mason of Hagerman, NM, Clay Stephens (Tasha) of Sapulpa, OK, Coleman Stephens of Fort Campbell, KY, Eric Smith (Marisa) of Owensboro, KY and Jeff Smith (Jayda) of Pawnee, OK.

He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Taylen Rodriguez, Cassidy Rodriguez, Donte McKellum, Ryder Stephens, Colton Stephens, Emmalyn Smith, Ethan Smith, Boston Bruns, Tatum Smith and Maverick Smith.

Ray is preceded in death by his brother James Stephens, sisters Ann Miller, Opal Rhyne, and Alice George.