Birtie Lea Douglas

Birtie Lea (Downing) Douglas, 82, passed away Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at her home. She was born January 21, 1929 at home on the family ranch, south of Cuervo, NM to John and Myrtle (Woodward) Downing, the 7th of 8 children. She is survived by her son, Johnny Douglas and wife Rhonda; granddaughter Stephani and husband Bryan Taylor, their sons Calvin and Dean (Birtie's great grandsons); grandson John Michael Douglas and wife Amber; her only living sibling, Joe Pat Downing Sr. and wife Elsie, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends including the "Brown Road" neighbors. Birtie came to Las Cruces, NM as a new bride in August of 1947 in a snow storm. She graduated from Las Cruces Union High School in May of 1948. Birtie worked for Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph as a switchboard operator for more than 10 years starting in 1949. In 1963 she went to work for the Physical Science Laboratory of NMSU, first as a Switchboard Operator, then Travel Clerk and lastly assisted in the Personnel Office. Birtie retired from PSL in 1994. Birtie loved life, the Lord, her family and friends, her music and her yard! She was a country girl through and through, loved the "ranching" way of life; riding from dawn to dusk, roping, branding, trail rides; a fire in the stove; her Daddy's cattle call; her Momma reading the "Good Book"; daddy teaching her to play the guitar and French harp. Throughout her life she loved to play her guitar and sing to family and friends. She wrote many poems and songs and was a published author and songwriter. A Memorial Service to celebrate Birtie's Life will be held at First Baptist Church, 106 South Miranda Street, Las Cruces, NM 88005; (575-524-3691); 10:00 am Saturday, March 5, 2011. Condolences may be mailed to Johnny Douglas, 2061 Santa Rita Drive, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 In Lieu of flowers; donations can be made in Birtie's name to Cowboys for Cancer Research; P.O. Box 202, Dona Ana, NM 88032; (575-524-0475); http://www.cowboysforcancerresearch.org/donation.html - PDF Printable Version