Elizabeth Sears

aligncenterELIZABETH LIBBY SEARS

Elizabeth Anne Boyce Sears, known by friends and family as Libby, passed on to be with her Lord and Savior on April 10, 2009. Libby was born October 2, 1939 to Daisy and A. G. Boyce in Carlsbad, New Mexico. She grew up in Carlsbad and graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1957. She attended college at UNM in Albuquerque and NMSU in Las Cruces.

She met her husband to be, John Nelson Sears while they were in the 7th grade. They were good friends and began dating their senior year in high school. They married February 11, 1961 and remained best friends until the day she died. She loved the way he made her laugh.

Libby and John lived in Albuquerque until John graduated from college and then Dallas until John finished dental school. In August of 1968, they moved to Ruidoso with their two daughters, and Libby helped John begin his dental practice in Ruidoso. She worked there for a year and a half until their first son was born. After their second son started school, she became a special education aide at White Mountain Elementary School in Ruidoso, New Mexico. There she eventually had her own classroom where she enjoyed teaching 4th and 5th graders to read. She retired from the schools in 1999 after eighteen years of service. Later, she again assisted John in his dental practice for a few years until both retired in August of 2006. They moved to Alamogordo, New Mexico in August of 2007.

Libby loved her family. She truly enjoyed being a stay at home mom and homemaker as much as possible until all four of her children were in school. She remained involved in her childrens and grandchildrens lives until her death. In February this year, she and John celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary with all their children and their families and Libbys brother and his family. It was a festive occasion especially since it was the first time all had been together in seven years.

Libby was blessed with many good friends. She especially enjoyed playing cards and games and sharing meals. She was known for her sense of fun and her caring ways. The family wishes to thank all those who have encouraged and supported her and her family through her fight with ovarian and breast cancers. The support has been especially appreciated in these last few months.

Libbys interests also included art and travel. She often took art classes, and has left her family many beautiful watercolor pieces. She shared her love of travel with John, and the two of them enjoyed many wonderful trips over the past several years.

Libby was a member of the First Christian Church in Ruidoso, New Mexico for twenty five years, attended First Baptist Church in Ruidoso for nine years, and attended Christ Community Church since moving to Alamogordo.

Libby was preceded in death by her parents, Daisy and A. G. Boyce. She is survived by her husband, John Sears of Alamogordo, New Mexico, her children, Karri Howard and her husband, Jim, of Cloudcroft, New Mexico, Karla Perry and her husband, Ty, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Cliff Sears, of Watertown, New York, and Craig Sears, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; her grandchildren, Grant Howard, Reese Howard, Clay Howard, Kegan Perry, Quinn Perry, Riley Perry, Jack Sears, and Ian Sears; her great granddaughter Katy Grace Howard; and her brother Garth Boyce and his wife, Stana and several nieces and nephews.
P Visitation will be Monday, April 13, at LaGrone Funeral Chapel of Ruidoso from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church in Ruidoso on Tuesday, April 14, at 1:30 P.M. with Tim Gilliland officiating. Interment will follow at Forest st1:Pl

Visitation

LaGrone Funeral Chapel of Ruidoso
341 Sudderth Dr.
Ruidoso, NM  88345
Monday, April 13, 2009
4:00 PM thru 6:00 PM

Service

Funeral Service

First Baptist Church
270 Country Club
Ruidoso, NM  88344
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
1:30 PM

Cemetery

Forest Lawn Cemetery
Mechem Drive
Ruidoso, NM  88345

Memorial Contributions

American Cancer Society
Great Western Division, Otero Unit
Albuquerque, NM  87190

Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Gift Management Services
Dallas, TX  75244