Wilma Lee Howell Berlier, 82, of Los Chavez and Encino, NM, went Home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, May 22, 2008 at her daughter's home, with her children by her side. Wilma had fought a courageous battle against lung cancer for nearly 5 years. Wilma was born March 20, 1926 in Springer, NM, the 7th of 8 children born to Georgia and Frank Howell. Wilma married Oscar Berlier in 1944 and after living in California, Wyoming, Arizona and Wagon Mound, NM they finally settled on a farm in Los Chavez, NM. Wilma enjoyed helping with the farm and raising their two children. She was active in her community through her church, the schools, the Valencia County Fair Board, Farm Bureau, 4-H, the Valencia County Republican Party, and the Cowbelles. She never shied away from controversy and served diligently to make a better community for all. While living on ranches in Wyoming and Arizona, Wilma worked as a cook while Oscar worked as a ranch hand. She was an excellent cook and particularly enjoyed cooking for her family and friends. Wilma worked periodically for the USDA Statistical Reporting Service and the Census Bureau. She enjoyed those jobs primarily because of those she worked with, including her lifelong friend, Faye Gaines. Since 1984 Wilma and Oscar had enjoyed living on their ranch at Encino, NM. Wilma was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar; her beloved grandson, John Berlier; three sisters, Georgia Tiley, Hazel Dykeman and Eva Hagemeier; her brothers, Laurel Howell, Harold Dean Howell, and F .A. Howell. Wilma is survived by her children, Jim Berlier and wife Vicki of Estancia and Eileen Goode and husband Ken of Albuquerque; her granddaughters, Jennifer Beavers and husband, Brandon of Los Lunas and Sheila Aragon and husband, Dominic of Albuquerque; two great-granddaughters whom she adored, Marisa Aragon and Brandis Beavers. She is also survived by her sister, Alta Hatton; sisters-in-law, Clara Lucas, Betty Berlier and Peggy Howell; brothers-in-law, Wayne Hagemeier, Sylvester Lucas, Cecil Beckner and Loyd Berlier; numerous nieces and nephews, and other family members as well as many very close and dear friends who loved and will miss her. Wilma considered the First Baptist Church of Los Chavez and the First Baptist Church of Vaughn as her home churches. The family would like to express their thanks to those who enabled Wilma to live independently these past 3 years including Myrna Smith, Marlene Wingo, Margaret McKinley, Nell Cox, Thelma Coffey, members of her Sunday School class and others who drove her to appointments, shopped for groceries, or took her to church. Visitation will be held in the Chapel of Direct Funeral Services, on Monday, May 26, 2008 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Funeral Services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Los Chavez on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 11:00am, with Rev. Boyd Morerod and Rev. Norm Riggin officiating. Burial will follow at Terrace Grove Cemetery in Belen. Pallbearers will be Brandon Beavers, Dominic Aragon, Mark Tiley, Victor Powell, Larry Elliott and Estevan Jaramillo. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Howell, Andy Otis, Mike Otis, and Weldon McKinley. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the John Berlier Memorial Scholarship through First Community Bank deposits may be made at any branch or be mailed to PO Box 3686, ABQ., NM. 87190. Arrangements by Direct Funeral Services, 2919 4th St. NW. ABQ. 505-343-8008.
Published on: Mon May 26, 2008