Nadeanne Neff Calhoun

NaDeanne Neff Calhoun, 82, of Las Cruces, NM, died on Wednesday, October 5, 2011, in Las Cruces, NM. She was born on July 21, 1929, at Hill, NM to Charles Edward Neff and Lillian Elliott Neff, along with her twin sister, LaJeanne Neff. NaDeanne grew up in Las Cruces and graduated from Las Cruces High School in 1947. She attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque where she was an active member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. NaDeanne met Charles Calhoun at a Las Cruces dance when they were 14, but Charles was called away with all the other young men, to fight a fire in the Organ Mountains, and their visit was cut short. However, Charlie remembered NaDeanne's striking beauty and her uncanny wit, and they were married on August 27, 1949 at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Las Cruces. Charlie Calhoun's family was well known as being quite talented in farming, and he was no exception, so after their daughter Carlitta was born in 1951, Charlie and NaDeanne moved to Blythe, CA to farm. In 1953, they returned to Las Cruces, and soon moved to Fabens, TX and farmed the W. A. Rawls Ranch. It was at that time that they added to their family, with John born in 1953, and Sam in 1956. The opportunity arose to lease the expansive Lee Moor Farm at Clint, TX in 1960, so the family moved there, and NaDeanne had the time of her life! The soil at the Lee Moor headquarters was particularly suited to growing wonderful flowers, and NaDeanne developed what many would say was the most incredible flower garden to be found in the entire Rio Grande Valley! Her tulips, poppies, and iris were simply spectacular, and she won many awards at flower shows in the El Paso area for her beautiful flowers and arrangements. The Methodist Church in Fabens was the beneficiary of countless Sunday morning flower arrangements grown and delivered by NaDeanne for years and years. NaDeanne loved sports, and football in particular, with attendance at the boys' games being of great importance, as well as watching college and pro football in the TV room on weekends. There was always wonderful food prepared by NaDeanne for Charlie and their kids, especially chicken fried steak and gravy with white bread and green beans, plus delicious roasts, fresh cantaloupe and tomatoes in the summertime. She made some of the best enchiladas, beans, and Spanish rice to be found anywhere! Charlie and NaDeanne were quite active in the Republican Party, and held numerous receptions at Lee Moor Farm for many candidates over the years. NaDeanne was quite politically astute, and even in her later months was up-to-date on the latest political news, and thoroughly enjoyed discussing the subject. She was a big supporter of the public library wherever she lived, and one could always find an interesting biography, or book on history or politics in her home. NaDeanne was an avid astronomer and was always current on all of the upcoming celestial events, and was fascinated with astrology, as well. Charlie retired from farming in the late 1980's and they moved back to Las Cruces, where NaDeanne established another fabulous garden in her yard in the upper valley. Her flower garden, along with her family, bolstered her spirit after Charlie passed away in 1991, and she always had her renowned arrangements and flowers available for the many weddings, parties, and events that took place in her children's lives and homes. She also operated a successful business for a period of time, a shop just off the plaza on Old Mesilla named Mesilla Garden Co., where she sold garden-related items. NaDeanne was an astute investor all of her life, having tremendous knowledge of stocks and investments. She learned to use a computer quite adeptly, kept up with her children and grandchildren through e-mail, and used the internet with regularity, even when suffering the pain of rheumatoid arthritis in her later years. She will always be remembered for her loving, outgoing personality, her many talents and interests, and for her amazing beauty, both inside and out. NaDeanne was preceded in death by her sister, La Jeanne Neff; her brother, Charles E. Neff, Jr.; and her husband, Charles L. Calhoun. She is survived by her three children: Carlitta Calhoun Harvey and her husband, Phil Harvey, Jr. of Mesilla, NM; John P. Calhoun and his wife DeNeen Calhoun of El Paso, TX; and Samuel E. Calhoun and his wife Diane of Las Cruces, NM; eleven grandchildren: Elizabeth Harvey Abrams and her husband Matt of Arlington, VA; Phil Harvey III and his wife Charity of Las Cruces, NM; Margaret Harvey, Mesilla NM; Lauren Calhoun of Madison, WI; Mason Calhoun of Washington, D.C.; Taylor Calhoun of Lubbock, TX; Elliott Calhoun of El Paso, TX; Dexter Calhoun of El Paso, TX; Emily Calhoun of Las Cruces, NM; Susannah Calhoun of Las Cruces, NM; and Lillian Calhoun of Las Cruces, NM; and one great-granddaughter, Molly NaDeanne Harvey of Las Cruces, NM. The funeral service will be held Monday, October 10, 2011 at 11:00 AM, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 225 W. Griggs Avenue, Las Cruces, NM, Rev. James Large officiating, with burial of ashes immediately following at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Las Cruces, NM. Arrangements are made through Getz Funeral Home, 1410 E. Bowman Ave., Las Cruces, NM 88001 www.getzcares.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your local public library. PDF Printable Version