Elizabeth Anne Fitch

Elizabeth Anne Fitch, 98, of 2002 Westridge Road passed away Sunday, September 9, 2012 after a brief illness. She was a resident of Carlsbad for nearly 38 years. Mrs. Fitch was born to Daniel Marion and Lydia Adeline Dyer Harrison July 27, 1914, in Dyer, Arkansas, the second of six children. The family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1919. She attended Northeastern State Teachers College, the University of Tulsa, and Oklahoma University and taught primary grades for two years in Tulsa area schools. She married Massey Lee Fitch June 5, 1936. In 1940 they and their infant son moved to El Paso, Texas, and remained in the El Paso area for 34 years. Mr. Fitch served for 32 years in the US Immigration and Naturalization Service as a Border Patrolman and immigrant inspector. Mrs. Fitch completed college work at Texas Western College (now University of Texas El Paso) and received a BA degree in 1952. She then taught second and third grades for 22 years at Hacienda Heights, Ysleta, Loma Terrace, and Mesa Vista elementary schools in the Ysleta Independent School District. After both retired, Mr. and Mrs. Fitch moved to Carlsbad in 1974. They were longtime members of First United Methodist Church, and she was active in the Southeastern New Mexico Historical Society, Landsun Homes Auxiliary, and other organizations. In 1994 they moved to Landsun Homes, where Mrs. Fitch resided for the rest of her life. Mr. Fitch died in 2005. Elizabeth Fitch is survived by her son, John Massey Fitch, a retired federal employee in Las Cruces; a brother, Lieutenant Colonel Charles L. Harrison, USMC retired, in Grass Valley, California; and sisters Ruth Pratt of Arlington, Texas and Peggy Thomas, Mansfield, Texas. She was preceded in death by her brothers Daniel and Robert. At Mrs. Fitch's request, no services are planned. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to the Landsun Homes Caring Hands Fund, 2002 Westridge Road, Carlsbad, NM 88220. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.