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HUGGINS -- Grace Barnes Welch Huggins of Las Cruces, beloved by her extended family and many friends, died peacefully on December 23, 2003. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Connie Jean Welch Finley of Las Cruces, on December 18, 2003. Grace is survived by son T. Roger (Tony) Welch of El Paso, Texas and daughter Dr. Patsy Roberts of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is also survived by her son-in-law, Les Finley of Las Cruces and former daughter-in-law Susan Welch of El Paso. Her former husband, Truman Welch of Las Cruces, also survives her. Surviving grandchildren include Renae Finley Griffin of Las Cruces; Jennifer Finley of Albuquerque, NM; Farrah Leigh Welch, Ashley Welch, Anthony Welch, and Lindsay Welch of El Paso; Lavonne Roberts, Mark Roberts, Eric Roberts, Brian Roberts, David Roberts, and Stacey Roberts. Her many great-grandchildren include area residents Justin Griffin and Jake Tannahill of Las Cruces, Megan Handley of Albuquerque and Tristan Welch of El Paso. Grace was the eldest child of a large and loving family. She was born July 3, 1921 in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, to John H. and Myrtle M. Barnes. Grace is survived by brothers and sisters: Otis L. Barnes and wife Nellie of Socorro, NM; Ruth Conn of Farmington, NM; Maxine Kimmel and husband Lester of Farmington; Nadine Willbourn of Carlsbad, NM; J.C. Barnes and wife Lynette of Dona Ana, NM; LaFern Arras and husband Dee of Arizona; Nancy McCullen of Amarillo, Texas; Wayne Barnes and wife Brenda of Las Cruces; Jack Barnes and wife Rella of El Paso and Joyce Welby of Houston, Texas. Long-time neighbors and dear friends, Felton and Virginia Springer of Las Cruces, also survive her, as do many other friends for whom Grace held special places in her heart. Grace came to Las Cruces 68 years ago with her family. She was part of the epic American migration. Originally headed for California, the Barnes family settled instead in Las Cruces. Grace married Truman W. Welch and they later brought their growing family to the coast of California during WWII, where she joined her husband in the war effort. Grace was employed in the shipyards as a welder, as were many of the "Rosie the Riveter" figures of her generation. After the war, she and her family returned to Las Cruces, where she began her career with AT&T/Mountain States Telephone Company as a switchboard operator, later assuming several supervisory positions before her retirement in the 1970s from SW Bell Telephone, after having also worked in El Paso and Ft. Smith. Grace will be fondly remembered for her lively wit at family functions, her mastery of many different handicrafts over the years, and her baking skills. She was famous for her beautiful pies and delicious homemade bread, which she generously shared with family and friends. Grace was active in the First Church of the Nazarene while living in Las Cruces and in St. Mark's Church in El Paso. After she retired, Grace worked in the St. Mark's Church nursery, caring for children of parishioners, whom she called her "little angels." In later years, she followed their progress with pride and interest. Grace truly cared for people who were part of her life and she will be missed by all. She will be deeply remembered by her grandchildren for her love and guidance and the special care she showed in choosing their gifts for Christmas and birthdays. Pursuant to Grace's wishes, cremation has taken place. Services for Grace will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2004, at the First Church of the Nazarene, 1900 South Locust Street in Las Cruces. Interment of the cremains will follow at Masonic Cemetery. After interment, a reception will be held at Grace's home, 4990 Arena Drive in Las Colinas, where family and friends may share their treasured memories of Grace. Arrangements are with Graham's Mortuary and Mesilla Valley Crematory, 555 W. Amador, Las Cruces, NM.
        Published on: Thu January 01, 2004