Modeene Howerton Cates

Modeene Howerton Cates went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, May 18, 2016. Funeral Services will be Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at 1:00 PM in Carlsbad, NM, at the Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, 1309 W Tansil. The Rev. Rod Foster and Rev. Nathan Sampson will officiate. Modeene Fivecoat was born on February 8, 1926, in Lake City, AR, to Claude Edgar Fivecoat and Ona May Lawson Fivecoat. The family moved to New Mexico when she was 8 years old for her health. They lived and worked on a farm in Dexter and she attended school there. Those were some of her happiest childhood years. Later, they moved to Roswell where she attended high school. At a community dance, Modeene met her future husband, Doyle Howerton, Sr. They were married on May 21, 1941, in Lovington, NM. They were blessed with one son and four daughters. In 1997, they celebrated their 56th anniversary. A very loving and caring mother, Modeene was a person you could count on to add sunshine to your day. She was the best cook in the world and also made all of her children’s clothing. She was full of lovingkindness, understanding and encouragement to everyone she met. After the death of Doyle Howerton, Sr., Modeene married the Rev. Boyd S. Cates on November 21, 1998. They were married for 15 years. She was preceded in death by her parents; two siblings: Hazel Colleen Rogers and Charles V. Fivecoat; her husband, Doyle Howerton, Sr.; grandson, Randy Howerton; and second husband, Rev. Boyd Cates. Those surviving to cherish Modeene’s memory are her son: Doyle L. Howerton, Jr, (Sharon) of Roswell, NM; daughters: Mary Chism (Vernon) of GA, Shirley Wray (Steve) of Carlsbad, NM, Lavona Sampson (Paul Shedlosky) of Roswell, NM, and Lorraine Tedford (Leroy) of Hobbs, NM. Additional survivors are twenty grandchildren: Connie Clark (Ken) of TX, Susan Wagner (Joe) of Hobbs, NM, Rodney Chism (Aundrea) of AZ, Sharon Anglin (Billy) of GA, Rebecca Tice (Bob) of GA, Beth Hudson (Conrad) of GA, Deborah Chism (George Guzma) of AZ, Robert Chism (Denise) of AZ, Jimmy Chism (Nicole) of AZ, Jesse Chism (Hope) of GA, Dina Benson (Samuel) of GA, Nathan Sampson (Renae) of MO, Tammy Kilgore (Kelly) of Carlsbad, NM, Priscilla Walsworth (Rick) of Carlsbad, NM, Suzee O’Connor (Doug) of OK, David Calloway (Shannon) of OK, John Calloway (Jennifer) of AZ, Sarah Wray of Carlsbad, NM, Jason Wagner (Heather) of Hobbs, NM, Tabitha Morgan (BJ) of Hobbs, NM; and a very special “sister” Avis Howerton of Carlsbad, NM. Fifty-one great-grandchildren and twenty-one great-great-grandchildren survive to treasure Modeene’s heritage. “We are so thankful that God gave us her for our mother, for she was the best ‘MOM’ you could ever hope for. We will never forget her love and devotion and the sacrifices made for us all over the years. ‘We love you, Mom and are looking for that day when we will meet again!’” Those honored to be Pallbearers are grandsons: David Callaway and John Callaway; great-grandsons: Anthony Reese, Joshua Pleasant, Trevor Pleasant, and Shawn Bryant. The family loving wrote the obituary.

Modeene Howerton Cates

February 8, 1926 - May 18, 2016