Lou Ann Cortese

Lou Ann Cortese, 88 a resident of the Fort Sumner valley passed away Thursday, June 5, 2025 at Bee-Hive Homes in Portales, NM. She was born June 13, 1936 in Big Springs, Texas to the home of James Knox Barfield II and Thelma Burleson Barfield. Lou Ann grew up in Stanton, Texas. She moved to Clovis and attended Junior High and High School there. Her family moved to Fort Sumner in 1953. Lou Ann attended and graduated from Fort Sumner High School on May 24, 1954. On May 25, 1954 she married Gerald Don Cortese. They were lifelong cattle ranchers in De Baca County.

Lou Ann retired from the United States Postal Service in Fort Sumner. Also, worked at Country Garden & Gifts. Lou Ann was a member of First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner, a member of Cowbelles, Valley Quilting Club, Beta Sigma Phi, Woman’s Club and served as a Baptist Church Sunday School Children’s Teacher. Her pastimes included cooking, sewing & quilting, reading, bible study, and opening gates on the ranch. She will always be remembered for inviting people to church, coconut pies, playdough, giving candy and gum, and cooking spaghetti!

Lou Ann is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years Gerald Don Cortese, a son Joe Don Cortese, her parents James Knox Barfield II & Thelma Lou Barfield, a brother J.K. Barfield III, three sisters Dorothy Jean Barfield, Mary Kathryn Bristow, and Glenn (Tootsie) Hromas, and a great-granddaughter Mercey Jade Cortese. Survivors include a daughter Edie Smith and husband Gary of Dyersburg, Tennessee, son Knox Cortese and his wife Bobbie Ann of Fort Sumner, daughter-in-law Mae Cortese, niece/daughter Debi Weaver and husband Steve, 13 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. Also surviving are several nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at the Bee-Hive Home of Portales, the Compasses Hospice Nurses especially Staci Huggins, Ramon Paredez, Margarita Amaya, Dorothy Martinez, and Addison's Drug Store.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 am Monday, June 9, 2025 at the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner with Rev. Jim Peabody officiating. Burial will follow in the Cortese family plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery. Urn bearer will be Lou Ann's great grandson Tristen Cortese. Honorary bearers will be her grandsons Sam Cortese, Jon Cortese, Jesse Cortese, Casey Cortese, Zach Smith, Eric Smith, Arron Cortese, and Luke Cortese.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for memorials in memory of Lou Ann to be made to:

Baptist Children’s Home of Portales, P.O. Box 629  Portales, NM 88130.

All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (575) 355-2311. To place an online tribute or sign the guest book, please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com