Mary Ruth Head-Madlock

Mary Ruth Head-Madlock, 89, was called to her heavenly home on May 8, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, after a long-term illness. She was just two days shy of her 90th birthday.

Mary was born May 10, 1934, in Sweetwater, Texas to Tom and Martha (Minkley) Gibson. Her family moved to Las Cruces from Texas when she was about 3 years old. Her father was a farmer and her mom a homemaker. The family moved to a few different places while she was growing up, including California, Espanola, NM and back to Texas. In between all the moves, however, they always found their way back to Las Cruces. Mary attended elementary, junior high and most of high school in Las Cruces. During her senior year, the family was in Espanola and she attended McCurdy Missionary School before returning to Las Cruces. She graduated in 1953.

In 1953, Mary married Johnnie A. Head Jr and they had four children: Jimmy, Greg, Johnnie III and Shari. She married Lynn Madlock, an old high school acquaintance, in 1998. Mary and Lynn were very happy together until his death in 2001.

Mary worked hard most of her life, mostly in customer service because she was such a people person. She started working in eighth grade at the Las Cruces Drug Store, then as a waitress at the Deluxe Café. She also worked at the Friendly Drug Store for a while. In 1970, Mary worked for almost a year, for her brother, Ed Gibson, at Dutch’s Meat Market. Then, she worked for Western Bank for about 10 years, starting as a teller until she was promoted to branch manager. In the early 1980’s, she was an office manager for Big-O Tires. Her last working years until retirement, were spent at Dillards, in the Elizabeth Arden Cosmetics counter. She seemed to enjoy this job the most and even won 3 different trips to Hawaii for exceeding sales goals for her region.

Mary square danced when she was young, but also loved the jitterbug, two step and waltz. She was a really good dancer. She also loved growing flowers and always had gorgeous gardens growing at her home. When her children were young, she enjoyed sewing and even made beautiful square dance dresses for her with matching shirts for Johnnie Jr. Traveling was another love of Mary’s, whether it be with close family on vacations or on a cruise with her friends.

Mary was first and foremost a Mother and Grandmother, though. She absolutely loved babies and children and was the best Mom, Gramma and Great Gramma ever! She will truly be missed by her family.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, brothers; Jim, George, William, John, Tom Jr, and Lloyd (Buster) Gibson, sisters; Betty Moore, Ann Bradley, and Louise Whiteley, daughter Shari Lynn, and husband Lynn Madlock. She is survived by her brothers; Edward (Peggy) Gibson, Bobby (Vicky) Gibson, her three sons; Jimmy (Suzy) Head, Greg (Bobbie Jo) Head and Johnnie Head III. Her Grandchildren; Tammy (Colin) McVaugh, Jeff (Tammi) Head, Brian Head, Kendra (Mike) Hatcher and Levi (Erin) Buckelew her great-grandchildren; Mackenzie (JT) White, Colton McVaugh, Cady McVaugh, Trevor Head, and Jaycelyn Head, and one special great-great grandchild Brayden White.

Services will be held at Getz Funeral Home in Las Cruces, NM on Friday, May 24, 2024, at 2 PM. Pall Bearers are Jeff Head, Brian Head, Colin McVaugh, Levi Buckelew, Colton McVaugh, and Trevor Head.

We want to sincerely thank the staff at The Adobe Assisted Living and Mesilla Valley Hospice for their kind and loving care!