Edward Morris Haines

Edward Morris Haines

"For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth,"

Edward Morris Haines was baptized into God’s family on 5 August 1945 at St. Mary’s in Hill, New Mexico by the legendary Preacher Lewis. His parents were Dr. Ben H. Haines and Elizabeth Nordhaus Haines. Following World War II his parents along with his brother Ben resettled into the Mesilla Valley, from California, where Edward lived his entire life with the exception of serving in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam conflict.

Edward attended school in the Las Cruces Public School system where he would later find his career path chosen for him by God. He obtained his Bachelor of Education (cum laude) and later a Master's degree from NMSU. Edward was also extremely proud to have been designated a Distinguished Military Graduate, upon completion of his Bachelor's degree. An honor, which at that time, was only awarded to the top 10% of the AFROTC graduates in the nation. He subsequently served as a Wing Intelligence Officer in the United States Air Force in Southeast Asia theatre completing his military commitment. Whereupon, he returned to his family's roots in the Mesilla Valley and picked up, what he felt was his true calling by God, a career in education, spanning almost 30 of the happiest years in his life, teaching American History at the Junior High level and later working as a facilitator in the Advanced Education Gifted program at Mayfield High School. He would often state that some of his best days of teaching were on the days that he had prayed ,"God let's go zap them with knowledge and they will never even know it was You working through me”. What joy and vitality they brought into his life with their inquisitive minds, enthusiasm, eagerness to learn and, above all, the humor of the youthful mind. In 1988, during NMSU’s celebration of its centennial year, he was recognized as one of the top 100 graduates from the College of Education. He was also awarded the American History Teacher of the Year for the entire state of New Mexico by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

It was while teaching at Lynn Junior High that the Lord brought into his life his best friend, soulmate and eventually his wife, Nyeta La Don Fields. Oh, the laughter and fun the two of them had together, whether it be in the classroom, taking large groups of students to historical sites on the east coast during their spring break, or their own historical explorations throughout Europe over years of summer breaks. From the battlefields of Normandy, France to the Great Wall of China, their trip itinerary bulged from years of happy adventures. Edward always said that it was Nyeta who taught him how to love and, truth be known, nudged the conservative out of his shell to explore the great and wonderful world that they were Blessed to discover together. The happy memories they made were enough to fill multiple lifetimes.

He was preceded in death by his wonderful paternal grandmother, Laura Hill Barnhill, who Edward felt was his guardian angel sent by God, and in whose home he and Nyeta made their life together, carrying on a tradition in the Haines family that was established in 1920 when his great-grandfather purchased the property. Also preceding him in death were his parents, his niece Laura Haines, and brother Brian Haines. He is survived by his wife Nyeta L. Haines, his brother Ben H. Haines (Sandra), sister Elizabeth C. Stromberg, brother Brandon Hill Haines, nieces Cynthia Reynolds (Al), Emily Montoya (Kenny), nephew Josh Hoffman, great nephew Benjamin E. Montoya, sister-in-law Karin Fields, and cousins Lee E Haines (Thais) and Dorrey Lee West.

A family visitation will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2026, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Getz Funeral Home followed by an evening prayer service at 7:00 p.m. A Requiem Eucharist will take place the following afternoon on Friday, November 20, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church of Mesilla Park officiated by Father Peter J. Vazquez Schmitt OSB and The Reverend Dr. Jeanne Lutz. Military honors will be rendered immediately following the church service followed by a reception in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Mesilla Valley Hospice or St James Episcopal Church of Mesilla Valley.

"REMEMBER ME WITH SMILES AND LAUGHTER, FOR THAT IS HOW I SHALL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU"