Wilma Jean Tapscott, 89, a resident of Santa Clara, NM

Category: Obituaries Obituaries
Published: 23 February 2024 23 February 2024

TapscottWWilma Jean Tapscott, 89, passed away with family by her side on February 16th at Fort Bayard
Medical Center. She was born on February 1, 1935 to Carl and Lillie Mae Burgess (Conder) in
Claremore, OK.

Wilma had many happy childhood memories of spending time with her Grandma and Grandpa
Conder on their farm in Oklahoma and would visit her grandma Burgess on her dairy farm in
Arkansas during the Summer, where she would pick strawberries and black walnuts for her
grandmother to bake her a cake. Wilma moved with her family to Grant County at the age of 9
years old when her father got a job at Kennecott mine in Santa Rita, NM. Wilma attended
Western High school and met the love of her life Jack in 1952 at a Christmas Eve dance at the
Chino Buffet in Hurley, NM. They married on March 28, 1953, in Lordsburg NM.



Wilma loved her family and devoted her life to taking care of Jack and their children Teddy and
Terry. She hosted many holidays and family gatherings and enjoyed cooking for her children and
grandchildren. Wilma found happiness out in nature tending to the beautiful landscape in her
yard, watching hummingbirds gather outside of her kitchen window and watching deer come into
camp when traveling with Jack in their RV. She loved music, bowling, and dancing. 
Wilma was an amazing one-of-a-kind woman. She is loved and will be greatly missed.

Wilma is survived by her daughter Terry Tapscott of Santa Clara, NM and one daughter-in-law
Rhonda Tapscott of Silver City, NM. Four grandchildren Waynette Tapscott, Justin Tapscott
(Sophia), Niki Grimes (Derek), Joshua Tapscott (Daniella), five great- grandchildren Justin
Tapscott Jr, Amanda Brown, Ondie Tapscott, Tucker Grimes, Jackson Grimes, one great-great
grandson Bryson Abeyta, one great-great granddaughter Errolynn Brown, one sister Carol
Mitchell (Walter) and one brother Jerry Burgess (Carol) and many friends and family. She was
preceded in death by her father Carl Burgess, her Mother Lillie Mae Conder Burgess, two sisters
Jennie Hickson and Edith Jackson, her husband Jack Tapscott, son Teddy Tapscott, one great-
granddaughter Chantal Tapscott and one great-grandson Ryder Tapscott.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 1, 2024 at 2:00pm at the Rose Garden, located at the Memory Lane Cemetery in Silver City, New Mexico. 
In Liu of flowers, the family asked for donations to be made to the American Cancer Society. 
Cremation will take place at Terrazas Crematory.  Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory “Trust care for the ones you love” ~ 575-537-0777.  To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com .     

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