Reta Mitcham

Reta Mitcham went to be with our Lord on Thursday, February 23, 2017. She peacefully moved to Heaven while asleep at home. Reta was born to William and Mary Agnes Alderson, homesteaders and farmers, and was raised in Seneca, NM where she attended school through the 10th grade. She then transferred to Clayton High School for 11th and 12th grades so that she could obtain two years of typing and shorthand. Upon graduation she began selling cosmetics at City Drug Store in Clayton where she was spotted by a representative of a nationally advertised cosmetic company. She was then recruited to travel New Mexico and Arizona to hold clinics in beauty shops. While holding one of these clinics in Carlsbad she met Clarke Mitcham whom she would marry 8 months later. They remained married for 58 years until his death in 1999. Reta and Clarke lived in Carlsbad initially then moved to Arkansas City, KS for several years before returning to NM and settling in Clovis for 10 years. In 1957 they opened their first glass business which they operated until 1962 when they decided to relocate it to Carlsbad. They had always loved Carlsbad and felt that it would be the ideal place to retire someday. Mitcham Glass and Mirror Co. was successfully owned and operated by Reta and Clarke for 27 years until their retirement in 1989. After retiring, Reta had time to pursue her hobbies - sewing, playing bridge, scrabble, crossword puzzles, music, dancing, baking, gardening and spending time with her grandchildren. She and Clarke traveled throughout the years to Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Mexico and to many of the states in the US. After Clarke's death she continued many of her hobbies - playing bridge and winning "high" was something that she strived for and enjoyed immensely. As her eyesight waned she was forced to stop playing but with the help of others she continued to remain sharp and work her beloved crossword puzzle daily. Reta will be remembered for her strength, quick wit and intelligence. Although she came from a very humble background, she had a constant desire to improve her knowledge and skills. All those who knew her would comment on how sharp she remained up till the time of her death. She will also be remembered for how hard she worked her whole life, being a talented seamstress and a wonderful cook. Her pies were out of this world! And her grandkids have fond memories of playing Skip Bo and watching Life Time movies with her and eating her cornbread cakes and BLT sandwiches. Those left to cherish her memory are her daughters Connie Crews of Carlsbad, Trudy Buck of Las Cruces and Cindy and husband Jess Ortiz of Denver, CO; 6 grandchildren: Ty Reeves (Ron) of Scottsdale, AZ, Raymie (Mandy) Walters of Kailua, HI, Cara Buck of DRC, Africa, Kit (Stacy) Klein of Carlsbad, Kale Klein of Brooklyn, NY and Kirstie Klein of Carlsbad; as well as 11 great grandchildren. We want to thank EnCompass and Hospice for the wonderful care given to our mother the last two years. In addition, we want to thank her beloved caregiver, Linda Walker, for her undying support and care. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 1st, at First Presbyterian Church, 309 W. Shaw, Carlsbad, NM at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity or to St. Jude's Children Hospital, one of Reta's favorite charities. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com