Wanda June (Blythe) Raley

A private family memorial will be held.

Wanda June Raley, 94, was born June 18, 1926 in Frost, TX.  The family moved to Dona Ana, NM when she was a small child.  They finally settled in Albuqueruqe, and she remained in that area for the majority of her life.  Wanda graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1944.  She was a talented seamstress, so following graduation, she went to New York City to study fashion design.  However, she met so many highly talented people and felt intimidated and soon returned home.  For about ten years, she worked as a telephone operator.  On Sept. 4, 1957, in Albuquerque, she was married to Ben Raley.  They made their home in Bosque Farms, where she became an active member of the First Baptist Church.  Following the death of her husband on May 24, 1991, the members of her church were a great support to her emotionally.  To supplement her income she began doing alterations for a local dry cleaning establishment.  Mrs. Raley made virtually all of her husband's clothes, and also did sewing for the rest of her family.  In addition to sewing, she enjoyed piecing quilt tops.  Over the years, Mrs. Raley had put together over 250 quilt tops.  She always stayed busy.  Approximately ten years ago, she moved to Portales to make her home near her daughter.  While living in Portales she placed her membership at the Emmanuel Baptist Church where she enjoyed the fellowship of her Sunday School Class.  Her Bible reading was an important part of her day.

She is survived by three sons, Roy Allen Smith of Albuquerque, John Smith of Tucson, AZ and Ben Raley, Jr. of Albuquerque; two daughters and sons-in-law, Wanda and Bob Lovelace of Yuma, AZ and Annalee and David Griffin of Portales; 16 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.  She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Roger and Pete Blythe, a sister, LaFrae Smith, a son, Floyd Smith, and by her husband.

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