Lona Sullivan

Lona L. Sullivan, 81, of N. 10th Street, Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away January 9, 2011 at her home. Visitation will be 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, January 13, 2011, 2:00 PM, at Sunset Church of Christ with Brian McGonagill officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Gardens Memorial Park, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Lona Sullivan was born February 21, 1929 in Santa Rita, NM to Willis and Mary Lynn (Pruiett) Buck. She spent much of her early years in Capitan, NM, before moving to Carlsbad, NM. When she was 12 years old she competed in the fiddling contest held annually in Lincoln, NM and won the contest. She loved music all her life and possessed a special ability that allowed her to hear the music and then play it back from memory. She graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1947. Lona met Gene Sullivan on a blind date and four months later they married on January 30, 1949. She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandma and great grandmother. She loved and enjoyed her children, spoiled her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She befriended every child and young person she came into contact with and became "mom" to everyone. Many adults still think of her as "Mom." She always had an encouraging word for all her children, including the "adopted" ones. Her true passion was her family and her extended family. She was a faithful member of the Church of Christ. Lona worshipped at Hillcrest Church of Christ, Southside Church of Christ and Sunset Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gene "Cowboy" Sullivan; son, Leon Sullivan and sister, Martha Mary Buck. She had a love of animals, especially her parakeets and her dogs, Princess and Blackie. The family would like to acknowledge the loving care and thoughtfulness of Debbie Parsons, Pam Nesbitt, Krystle Beavers, Leann Schwartz, Dorothy Criswell, Dorothy Neuhouse, and Terry and Marilyn Stade. Survivors include two sons: Bobby Sullivan and wife, Marilyn of Carlsbad, NM, Roy Sullivan and wife, Caren of Houston, TX; daughter-in-law, Jackie Sullivan of Alamogordo, NM; eight grandchildren: Lisa Hufstedler and husband, David, Meagan Sullivan, Becky French and husband, Robert, Susan Sullivan, Patricia Sullivan, John Sullivan, Barbara Sullivan, and Austin Sullivan; five great-grandchildren; and two step-brothers: R.E. Mayfield and Allen Mayfield. Pallbearers will be David Hufstedler, John Sullivan, Roger Mayfield, Carroll Caudill, Dewey Edmiston, Jr., and Sharky Morgan. Honorary Pallbears are: Wayne Edmiston, Terry Stade, Woods Houghton, and Richard Martinez. Memorial contributions may be made to Mountain View Christian Camp, c/o Sunset Church of Christ, 1308 W. Blodgett St. Carlsbad, NM 88220. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.