Oleeta Etcheverry

Oleeta Alice Cummings Etcheverry passed away at home with her loving family and her two favorite wiener dogs "Butter" and "Black Jack". Cremation has taken place and services will be held Tuesday, December 17, 2013, at 1:00 PM. Pastor and good friend, Mike Lee will officiate. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. There will also be a memorial scheduled at a later date at Cornudas Mountain near Dell City, Texas. Oleeta was born on April 24, 1924, in Magazine, Arkansas, to Otis and Qunnie Cummings of Odessa, Texas. She moved to Carlsbad and married Jim (Tot) Etcheverry on February 24, 1949. Oleeta was a Home Economics and Science teacher when she first came to Carlsbad. She had a very interesting resume. Oleeta was very educated and continued her education throughout her whole life because that was her nature. She was a sponsor of numerous extra curricular activities from Future Homemakers of America, basketball, volleyball, swimming instructor, tennis and softball coach, yearbook, one act play, class sponsor, student council, school newspaper, cub scouts, boy scouts, girl scouts, ROTC, pep squad, cheerleader and this is just to name a few. Oleeta was the first mayor of Dell City, Texas, where she also taught in the 1950s to the early 1960s before she and Tot moved back to Carlsbad. She was very involved in civic and service organizations. Oleeta was very active in the Eddy County Sheriff Possetts. She loved trail riding camping and spending time with posse family and friends. Oleeta had a true passion for indian artifacts and spent many days with good friends, Bob and Liz Jones, exploring all the surrounding mountains. It might be easier said, "What didn't this lady do." Anyone that knew Oleeta knew she went above and beyond the call of duty and expectations from dawn to way past dusk on almost any given day of the year. Oleeta has been the keeper and nurturer of children through school, ajar, family and friends. She was the keeper and confidante of adults who needed structure and support. She was the keeper of sheep, horses, dogs and all other animals in need of attention, love or discipline at Ole McEtcheverry's Ranch. Oleeta was a truly grand lady and friend. She lived a full and wonderful life. Oleeta was preceded in death by her parents, Otis and Qunnie Cummings. She is survived by her loving husband, Tot Etcheverry; sons: Etienne and wife, Kathy Etcheverry of Truth or Consequences, NM, John and wife, Brenda Etcheverry of Carlsbad, NM, Adrinne Laney Verkler Etcheverry of Artesia, NM. She was a loving Nana to grandchildren: John Pete and wife, Dayna Etcheverry of Mesquite, NM, Tommy Charles Etcheverry of Carlsbad, NM; Melissa Griggs Webb and husband, Robert of Austin, Texas, Chance Laney of Artesia, NM, Delette Sokolosky and husband, Greg of Austin, Texas; great-grandchildren: Laney Webb, Spencer Laney and wife, Tiffany, Sid Laney, Reagen and Reiley Sokolosky; great-great-grandchildren: Aden and Noland Laney; and all of her adopted children and you know who you are! Memorial contributions may be made to Paradise Ranch, Children Fund, P.O. Box 1986, Carlsbad, NM 88221 Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com