Search Results

Buck -- Pearl S. Buck, 85, of Alamogordo, passed away on Saturday, June 24, 2000, after suddenly collapsing in the family home. Her grandfathers, Don Stephens and Cleburn Prude, were pioneer cattle ranchers in Otero County in the early 1880s. Her parents, Johno and Alla Bess Stephens, owned two large ranches on Otero Mesa and at Cornudes, near the Butterfield Trail. After she was born in the 15-bed hospital at Orogrande on September 27, 1914, she was raised with her six brothers on the family cattle ranches and at the family home in Tularosa. After graduating from Tularosa High School, she married the high school football coach, Rolla Buck, and attended Texas Tech University with him. During their 62 years of marriage, they lived in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Ruidoso, Raton, Deming, and Las Cruces, and owned several businesses. He preceded her in death in 1997. Mrs. Buck cultivated African violets, traveled abroad, enjoyed playing bridge with lifelong partners, and loved to plan family reunions. She was also a knowledgeable football fan, and had an active interest in current affairs. Her enchiladas were treasured. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and past President of the Alamogordo Woman's Club, the Alamogordo Garden Club, the Santa Fe Garden Club, the Pan-American Roundtable, and the Deming Lioness Club. She was named Alamogordo Woman of the Year in 1957. Mrs. Buck is survived by her son, Ed Buck, an attorney in Alamogordo; by her daughter, Lena Prentice and her husband, Barry of Boulder, CO; by four grandchildren, Robin Eckstein of Frankfurt, Germany, Johno Buck of Denver, CO, Tom Prentice of Boulder, CO, and Donna Sue Prentice, an Air Force Judge Advocate in Omaha, NE; three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Garland Stephens and his wife, Virginia of Fallbrook, CA and Robert Stephens and his wife, Thelma of Capitan; and many loved members of the extended family. She was a kind mother, a loving wife, and a gentle lady. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, June 29, 2000, 4:00 p.m., at Grace United Methodist Church, 16th St. and Cuba Ave., in Alamogordo, with the Rev. Tom Richardson and Dr. Wylie E."Buff" Hearn officiating. Interment will follow in Monte Vista Cemetery. Friends may call Wednesday evening, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home, 1334 N. Scenic Dr., Alamogordo. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.
        Published on: Wed June 28, 2000