Elizabeth Ann May

Elizabeth Ann May 

1933-2024  

Elizabeth Ann May, age 90, of Los Lunas, joined her Lord and Savior on Jan. 12, 2024. She passed peacefully at home after a short battle with the flu/pneumonia and a two-year long battle with dementia with her nieces by her side.  

Services will take place Friday, Jan. 19., at Belen Christian Church, 421 S. 11th St., Belen, starting with a visitation at 10 a.m., followed by a celebration of life at 11 a.m. Burial will take place at the Portales Cemetery, 1600 E. Third St., in Portales, where she will join her husband in eternal rest on Monday, Jan. 22.  

Elizabeth was born in Tulia, Texas, on March 25, 1933, to E. D. and Edna Harper. She grew up on the family farm, until her dad was relocated to Clovis, N.M. She graduated from Clovis High School in 1951. She met James Albert in school, he asked her to marry him on Aug. 1, 1952, and they were married on Aug. 15, 1952.  

Just before Jim’s death in 2003, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. She devoted her life to Christ in 1953. She worked various jobs growing up, including Eastridge Bowling Alley, where she worked the front counter and Jim worked in the back. She spent the remainder of her working years working at Gebo’s in Amarillo.  

She retired in 1980 and moved to New Mexico to help care for her mother. Jim and Liz spent more than 40 years as members of Belen Christian Church. She served as kitchen manager and trustee for most of those years. She also instituted and managed the prayer chain. As kitchen manager, she ran countless potlucks, funeral dinners and other church functions.  

She was a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan. Before her arthritis got so bad, she would occupy her time by doing counted cross stitch canvases. She would also walk, rain or shine, two miles every day, except Sunday (because that was the Lord’s Day) to control her diabetes. She made many “walking buddies” on her daily walks and missed them dearly when she was no longer able to walk her route.  

Elizabeth is survived by her nieces, Kelly Richards (Ruston) and Christina Sikes; Jim’s nieces, Keri Shiplet and Jennifer Dodrill; nephews, Markum, Glenn and Royce Robertson; and their sister, Cindy Renfro. She also leaves behind many friends and walking buddies, as well as her many friends at Belen Christian Church.  

She was proceeded in death by her husband, James Albert; parents, E. D. and Edna Harper; sisters, Mary Alice Robertson and Linda J. Sikes; brother, Albert Clyde; niece, Donna Shiplet (Smith).  

Kelly, Ruston and Christina would like to thank the caring doctors and nurses at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque for helping us navigate her treatment. We would also like to thank her hospice team from Ambercare, in Belen, for their compassionate care during her final days.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the New Mexico Chrisitan Children’s Home in Portales or to Belen Christian Church (kitchen or benevolent funds).  

Please sign Elizabeth’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.