Bessie Rogers Boren

Bessie Boren, 91 of Fort Sumner, NM died Wednesday, October 24, 2001 at Rio Rancho Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was born January 26, 1910 in West, New Mexico to the home of Walter C. Rogers and the former Jane Buckner. Bessie moved to Fort Sumner with her family in 1918 where she attended Fort Sumner Schools. Bessie also attended an Albuquerque school where she received her degree in Business Administration and later received a degree in Fine Arts and another in Journalism and Short Story writing. In 1974 Bessie became a Certified Public Accountant. In 1933 Bessie married Ira Lionell Boren, together they built and operated the Rio Pecos Oil Company with the help of their son, Orlan Boren. They operated a total of seven truck stops and five cafes that employed 60 people. Bessie was the bookkeeper for all the businesses and this kept her traveling extensively. Following the death of her husband, on February 1, 1970, Bessie and Orlan continued the family business. They constructed the K.O.A. Campground at Santa Rosa and operated it for several years. Following her retirement from the business Bessie spent most of her time painting. She received many awards over the years winning 29 Firsts, a Second at the National in Ouray, Colorado; a Third in the Regional at Phoenix, AZ and was recognized in “Whose Who” in the Marcus Hall of Fame for Women. Bessie was also a received the De Baca County Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame award in 1989. Bessie and her cousin Edwin Lobley held art classes in her home at Fort Sumner for several years. Her home had a special room set aside for her classes. While she sold some of her paintings, most of her work was given as gifts to family and friends. Due to her declining health the past several years Bessie made her home in Rio Rancho where she was able to be near her family. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend. Bessie was preceded in death by her father in 1964, her mother in 1979; husband I.L. Boren on February 1, 1970; and a sister Leona Belva in 1912. Survivors include a son Otis Orlan Boren and wife Leona of Albuquerque, 5 grandchildren, 10 Great-grandchildren, and 2 Great-great-grandchildren along with numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and many friends. Funeral services were held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, October 27, 2001 from the Chavez Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Sumner with Mr. Perry Zumwalt, minister of the Fort Sumner Church of Christ officiating. Burial followed in the Boren/Rogers family plot at Fort Sumner Cemetery. All arrangements were under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 804 North Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico.