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Category: Obituaries Obituaries
Published: 24 May 2017 24 May 2017

Winnie Lou Holdridge rsWinnie Lou Holdridge, long time Deming resident, passed away at her home on Sunday, May 21, 2017. She was 87 years old.

Born in Hachita, NM on May 19, 1930 to Leo Charles Sr. and Winnie White McKinney, Winnie Lou spent her early childhood roaming the range at the Gray Ranch in the boot heel of New Mexico. She moved to Deming with her parents during her junior high years and graduated in 1948 from Deming High School, where she met husband Kenneth Holdridge. During their 50 years of marriage, Winnie & Ken were partners in several Deming businesses: Holdridge Home Furnishings, A-1 Self Storage, and Mimbres Valley Development pecan farm south of Deming.

Winnie Lou was preceded in death by husband Kenneth in 1998, brothers, Leo "Bud" McKinney, Jr. and Kenneth "Kenny" McKinney and granddaughter, Collette Holdridge. She leaves behind son, Rick (married to Sue) also of Deming; daughter Pat of Nashville, TN; granddaughters, Valerie Fuller Voll (Todd), Melissa Fuller Spillman (Jeremy), Allison Fuller Martin (Travis), Bekah Holdridge, and Rachelle Holdridge and great-grandsons, Nathan, Edwin, Bennett and Jed Spillman.

Winnie Lou loved her family and Deming community, where she opened her home to many impromptu gatherings and parties. She was a strong country woman who lived in the city. She had a kind heart and a sharp wit. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Services will be held Friday, May 26th at First United Methodist Church at 2:30 in the afternoon. Pastor Ernie Vineyard will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to The Raining Season, PO Box 997, Spring Hill, TN 37174 (therainingseason.org) or Transforming Luna County (TLC), PO Box 2187, Deming 88031.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on the snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there; I did not die.

Author Unknown