 HAINES, LAURA S. "Life lends us only feet, Death gives us wings." Laura Sue Haines joined the angels in her flight to Heaven on the 28th of October, 2014. She was born in Las Cruces, NM on 13 September, 1962 and attended Las Cruces Public Schools and New Mexico State University. Her career in life was as diversified as were the people that she touched in her journey through this life. Laura achieved the rank of Captain, flying 747 jumbo jets at a time when there were very few women in the nation that had accomplished this feat in a male dominated profession. Having logged more than 11,000 hours of flying time, she literally had flown all over the world including carrying supplies to our troops in the Mideast after the attack on the Twin Towers in 2001. To the community of Socorro during the past 10 years, Laura brought her knowledge in aviation, extensive contacts and skills in administration and leadership to play a key role with the Socorro Municipal Airport. She founded the M Mountain Fly-In Event in 2008 to present day which has attracted aviators and enthusiasts around the country to Socorro. To recognize the contributions of Captain Laura S. Hanes to the M Mountain Fly-In, to the City of Socorro, Mayor Rav Bhasker has issued a proclamation renaming the event "Captain Laura S. Haines M Mountain Fly-In." She most recently channeled her energy and love of horses and rodeo in helping with the city's new arena, helping to make it a one of a kind venue in this part of central New Mexico. Laura was a member of the South West Barrel Racing Association; the National Barrel Horse Association; and a Board of Director on the Socorro County Fair and Rodeo. She was also a long time Barrel Racing Director for the New Mexico Rodeo Association, organizing the Wild Bunch Reunion Rodeo Association which raised money for scholarships for local youth. Laura organized many Socorro County NMRA Rodeos. She herself competed throughout New Mexico, winning many awards in Barrel Racing. Whether it be soaring through the skies flying left seat in a 747 jumbo jet or riding her spoiled barrel horse Twister, her life was filled with laughter and smiles. Left to cherish her memory are her mother, Sue Haines of Metuchen, NJ; her father Ben H. Haines and wife Sandra Herkenhoff of Las Cruces, NM; her sister Cynthia Reynolds and husband Al of Metuchen, NJ; brother Josh Kauffman of Las Cruces; Uncles Edward Haines (Nyeta), Brian Haines, Brandon Haines; Aunts Bobbie Newhart (Ed), Elizabeth Stromberg (Thor); cousin Emily Montoya (Kenneth); and those that she knew through her work and schooling in Las Cruces, her career in aviation, her rodeo participation and her work in the Socorro community. Services for Laura Sue Haines will be held at the Friends of Epiphany Episcopal Church, 908 Leroy Place, Socorro, NM by Reverend Linda Lucas at 11:00am on Friday, October 31, 2014. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Socorro General Hospital Hospice, PO Box 1009, Hwy 60 West, Socorro, NM 87801 or your own local hospice chapter. "Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth... Put out my hand, and touched the face of God."
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