Jo Ellyn Walker

On Tuesday, September 27, 2022, Mrs. JoEllyn ''Thumper" Walker, 75, of Las Cruces, New Mexico passed away at Sierra Health Care Center in Truth or Consequences, NM. JoEllyn was the younger daughter of Hollis Edwin (Ed) and Anita Mae (Cunningham) Gary, making her dramatic entrance on a stormy and very windy night in Hatch, NM on January 27, 1947. She grew up on her parents' farm in the Hatch and Rincon, NM area and is a former Hatch Chile Princess. She briefly attended New Mexico State University, majoring in music. At 19, she married George Gates, Sr., and in 1968 gave birth to their daughter, Tammy Lyn, in Las Cruces. George entered the Army, and they traveled across the country to different Army posts. While stationed in Colorado Springs, CO, their son, George Junior (Jay) joined the family in 1971. After the Army, they made their way back to Las Cruces. JoEllyn enjoyed raising her kids, helping the school and the PTA, and working their own pecan farm. She went back to NMSU where she completed her bachelor's degree in horticulture. In 1991, she was divorced from George, and moved to Euless, TX where she trained as a travel agent and then worked in the Dallas area for a large travel agency for several years. JoEllyn eventually moved back to Las Cruces and went to work as a travel agent at White Sands Missile Range. In 1996, she met Roger Walker at a Super Bowl party, and married him on October 12 of that same year. JoEllyn loved baking, music, sewing, and crocheting. She loved reading about Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Princess Diana, and the rest of the Royal Family. JoEllyn loved her family, especially her six grandchildren. She truly loved to help others, in any way she could. She had the bluest eyes, an infectious laugh, and a generous spirit. JoEllyn was a beloved member of the University United Methodist Church. JoEllyn was preceded in death by both of her parents, as well as her beautiful sister, Patricia (Gary) Halsell of Hatch, NM. She leaves behind her husband, Roger D. Walker of Las Cruces; her four children, Tammy Gates and Jay Gates, Carla Walker (all of Las Cruces}, and Bennett Mahle, of Lemoore, CA; her grandchildren, William Kahl (of California), Ashley Kahl, Samuel Gates, Laine Gates (all of Tennessee), McKenzie Smart (Benjamin) of New York State, and Madalyn Wright (Las Cruces); 1 great-grandson, Beau Smart; as well as many other cousins, nieces, and nephews spread near and far. A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 21 at 11:00 AM at the University United Methodist Church, 2000 S Locust Street, Las Cruces, NM; fellowship and reception for the family to follow. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family encourages donations be made to the University United Methodist Church for their Neighborhood Initiative projects.