Mattie Cleverland Hurst

Mattie Cleverland Hurst, 90 a resident of Fort Sumner died Thursday, November 23, 2000 at her home following an illness. Mrs. Hurst was born February 5, 1910 in Frio, New Mexico to the home of James Archie Walker and the former Ida May Jenkins. She was reared and attended school at Frio. She married Jim M. Hurst on May 29, 1926 in Fort Sumner. They made their home in the Fort Sumner valley until 1944. While living in the valley she was a member of the Valley Quilting Club. Mattie had many wonderful memories of the years spent in the Fort Sumner Valley. In 1944 they moved to the Grants, NM area where they served as foster parents to over 50 Navajo children. In 1957 they moved to Salem, Arkansas where they lived until 1985 when they returned to Fort Sumner. Mattie was described by her children as a loving mother, a joker, always in a good humor. She loved her family and was always there when they needed her. She was a member of the Church of Christ since 1965. Mattie was preceded in death by her husband, Jim M. Hurst in 1992, a son Jimmy Dee Hurst in 1939, her parents, three sisters, one brother, a daughter-in-law Arla Hurst who died in 1985 and a son-in-law Kenneth Joe Ray who died in 1992. Survivors include two sons Clarence M. Hurst and wife Ruth of Salem, Arkansas, Bobby N. Hurst and wife Beverly of Lithia Springs, Georgia; a daughter Sandra J. Ray of Fort Sumner; one sister Josie Yeates of Clovis, NM. Also surviving are 8 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Monday, November 27, 2000 at 11:00 A.M. from the Chavez Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Sumner, NM. Mr. Stanley Newton and Rev. Coy Brewer will officiate, burial will follow in the Hurst family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. Visitation will be held Sunday from 10AM to 6PM at the funeral home. Pallbearers will include Don Sweet, Tim Sweet, John Cincotta, Jack Walraven, T.J. Walraven, Ed Krizan. Honorary bearers will include Cecil West, Ken Hahn, and Travis Yeates. All arrangements entrusted to Chavez Funeral Home, 804 North Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, NM. (505) 355-2311.