Rosemary Jean Burgett, 88, formerly of Carlsbad, Mayhill, and Animas, NM, died early Friday, April 20, 2012.

She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Everett Dale Burgett of Animas,, daughters, Betty D. Beagles and husband Virgil of Roswell, Jerry A. Malone and husband Malcolm of Animas, and Paula J. Thomas of Los Lunas, NM, six grandchildren, Bobby S. Heard and Michelle Barreras, and husband Andrew of Roswell, NM, Callie E. Bertaud and husband Edward of McAllen, TX, Brandie J. Malone of Deming, NM, Gregory R. Thomas of Lubbock, TX, and Joshua R. Thomas of Albuquerque, NM., and six great-grandchildren, Rayan Peterson, Ariana Marquez-Heard, Bryce Bertaud, Alexis Barreras, Zane Birchfield, and Laney Bertaud. Jean, the eldest of seven children, leaves sisters, Margie Green of Derby, Kansas, Ramona Scott of Tyler, TX, Bobbie Sue and her husband Robert of Eastland, TX, Ann Higginbottom and husband Lee Roy of Abilene, TX., and one brother Jim Mangum and wife Barbara of Vidor, TX, and sister-in-law Adelina Mangum of Pryor, OK. Also surviving are numerous nephews, nieces and other family and friends.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Owen A. and Bernice (Wade) Mangum, and a brother Owen A. Mangum, Jr., Dale's parents, Elbert B. and Winni Burgett.

Jean was co-owner of Dale's Flowers in Carlsbad from 1948 to 1963. She was an outstanding designer and loved working in the business. In 1968, Jean moved to the Cloudcroft, NM, area to help with the greenhouse business that her husband's family owned and operated. In the late 1970's, the family relocated to the southwest part of New Mexico to develop and operate the greenhouse operation using geothermal energy to heat the greenhouses. Dale and Jean headed that operation to make it the largest single greenhouse operations in the country.


Published April 22, 2012 by LaGrone Funeral Home