Dorothy Payne

Dorothy Payne left this world Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Alamogordo, NM. She was born to Robert Leslie and Eva Ward Leslie on July 15, 1922, in White Oaks, NM.  

Dorothy attended school through the 8^th grade in White Oaks and graduated from Capitan High School in 1940. She also attended college at ENMU in Portales, NM for 2 years. She then went to California to help the World War II effort as a "Rosie the Riveter'' for 2 years. After the war she returned home and married a neighbor rancher, J.O. (Bud) Payne, March 14, 1944.

In this union they had 4 children, Darlene Gililland, Bonnie Nachtweih (Ed), Curtis Payne(Marcia) and Sandra Lightfoot, all of whom survive her. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren; 17 great­ grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband J.O. Bud Payne; her father and mother; 5 brothers, and 4 sisters.

Dorothy was raised on and lived on ranches until her later years. She was quite the cowgirl. In 1971 she and Bud left the ranch and moved to Carrizozo. There she started pitching horseshoes, bowling and running track. She was extremely competitive and attended many National Senior Olympics. There she won numerous gold medals in horseshoes, bowling, broad jump, 100-yard dash and many other events. She was a remarkable woman, and always ready to chip in and help everyone. She was loved by her neighbors and many town folk. She spent countless hours picking up aluminum cans and keeping the town clean. She will be missed by all of her "extended" family and the many friends she made throughout Lincoln and Otero County. Goodbye to a wonderful and great woman.
 
Funeral services will be held 1:00pm Wednesday, April 17^th, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Carrizozo, NM with Pastor Hayden Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarvale cemetery in White Oaks. Pall Bearers are her 9 grandchildren, Wesley Mierau, Michelle Lightfoot, Monica Lightfoot, Curtis Lee Payne Jr, Guy Payne, Tamela Kincaid, Kevin Gililland, Matthew Daniel, and Tanya Bishop. Honorary Pall Bearers are Freddie Padilla, Wes Lindsay, Ned Peters, Chris Ventura, Dale Goad, and Jack Hefker.