Billie Jo Turnbow, 93, area resident, passed away Thursday, December 4, 2014 in Salem.

Visitation will begin Monday morning, December 8, 2014, at 10 o'clock at Salem Baptist Church with the funeral service to follow at 10:30. Pastor Josh Hunt will officiate. Concluding services and interment will follow at Garden of Memories in Hatch.

Billie Jo was born May 25, 1921 in Salado, Texas to Harry and Alpha Simmons. She joined the Church of the Nazarene in Sulphur Springs, Texas in 1935. Her family moved to Garfield in 1937 and she graduated from Hatch Valley High School in 1939. She met and married the light of her life, A.L. "Bud" Turnbow
on July 27, 1940 and had 2 children, Patsy Jo and Curtis Lynn. She was a member of the Church of God in Hatch and enjoyed the work in the Missionary Society. Her memberships include the American Legion Auxiliary, Extension Club of Hatch and was a 59 year member of the Hatch Chapter #52 Order of the Eastern Star. She worked many years at the Cooper Agency in Deming and when they moved back to Hatch, she worked with her daughter, Patsy and granddaughter, Michelle at the Hatch Insurance Agency.

She is survived by her daughter, Patsy Jo Gillis and husband Bob; 5 grandchildren, Michelle Flores and husband Richard, Greg Gillis, Curtis Turnbow, Jill Maynes and husband Tony and Chris Turnbow; 13 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild; brother, G.W. "Chubby" Simmons and wife Laona and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her loving husband of 58 years, A.L. "Bud" Turnbow; son, Curtis Lynn Turnbow; parents, Harry and Alpha Simmons; sister, Maxine Watkins; brother-in-law, L.L. "Buster " Watkins; brother, Wayne Simmons; sister, Tommie McCarty and brother-in-law, Joseph "Joe" McCarty.

Pallbearers will be, Jared Hunter, Cordale Gillis, Zachary Baca, Chris, Curtis and Nathan Turnbow. Honorary bears will be Brandon Baca, Robin and Bon Simmons, Richard Flores, Tony, T.J. and Nathaniel Maynes.