Reba Barber

Reba Jean Luck Barber went to heaven on Sunday, April 24, 2016. Reba was born in Alto, New Mexico on December 13, 1927. Her parents Barney and Rebecca Luck owned and operated the general store and post office in Alto. Reba grew up as the youngest of six, started school in Alto and graduated from Capitan High School in 1944. She attended college at NMSU from 1944 to 1945 where she was member of the Zeta Tau Sorority. Reba worked at the Public Health Hospital in Fort Stanton for several years before marrying Ralph Odel Barber on February 6, 1954.

Ralph and Reba traveled and worked all over the southwest in the early years of their marriage then returned home to Lincoln County in the 1970's. Reba enjoyed working for the US Forest Service at the Smokey Bear Ranger District in Ruidoso where she made many lifelong friends prior to retiring in 1989. Reba collected Smokey Bear memorabilia and enjoyed sharing the story of Smokey Bear with children. Reba was a member of the Nogal Presbyterian Church, a longtime Corriente Cowbelle and a loyal supporter of Capitan Schools and the Capitan Alumni Association. Reba was known for her keen sense of humor and always cooking for family and friends. Everyone looked forward to her homemade Christmas Cookies and Fudge.

Loving daughter, wife, sister, cousin, mother, and grandmother she was preceded in death by her husband Ralph Odel Barber, her parents Barney and Rebecca Luck; brother Barney Luck Jr. (Sonny), sisters Gracie England, Hazel Mayer, Louise Perkins and Mary Lou Skipper; cousins Buddy Clary and J.B. Clary; and her mother in law Cora LaMay Barber Dutton.

Reba is survived by three children Robert Barber and his wife Cheryl, Rhonda Burrows Colvin and her husband Doug; and Rebecca Ilgen and her husband Dave. Reba has seven grand-children, six great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and four nieces. Reba also leaves behind her friend and fierce protector "Fancy".

A visitation is planned for Friday, April 29, 2016 at LaGrone Funeral Chapel from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. with a graveside service at the Angus Cemetery on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 11:00 A.M.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Capitan Alumni Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1523, Capitan NM 88316.

Visitation

LaGrone Funeral Chapel of Ruidoso
341 Sudderth Dr.
Ruidoso, NM  88345
Friday, April 29, 2016
4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M.

Service

Graveside Service

Angus Cemetery
Highway 48 & 37
Angus, NM
Saturday, April 30, 2016
11:00 A.M.

Memorial Contributions

Capitan Alumni Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 1523
Capitan, NM  88316