Frances Imogene Rathbun

Frances Imogene Rathbun (Jean) born August 17, 1937 in Nyeburg, CO went home to be with The Lord on December 2, 2014. She is survived by her husband James Rathbun, 8 children, Cherryl Greene (Rich), David Greenwell (Betsy), Randy Travis (Wendy), Cindy Joseph (Pat), Brett Travis (Janet), Renee Glass, Robbie Travis (Terri), and Kari Lynch (Marcus). 23 grandchildren, Corri, Travis, Robin, Tyler, Fox, Ana, Jennifer, Andrea, Valerie, Jessica, Sarah, Patrick, Chasiti, Chariti, BJ, Dustin, Lane, Erica, Tim, April, Joy, Karleigh and Hannah. 11 great grandchildren, Jada, Aubrey, Raeya, Bailey, Luke, Bella, Alyssa, Peter, Davey, Claire, River, and her brother, Bob Rathbun (Margie). She is also survived by Aunt’s Dorothy Richards, Dolores Baldwin, Betty Strickland and numerous other cousin, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Floyd Lynn Rathbun and her mother, Madelyn Strickland Rathbun. Jean (or Jeannie, as she was known) grew up on a ranch and dairy farm in the Alamosa, CO area. Her first memories were of riding horses, milking cows, and helping her Mom cook for the many ranch hands that worked on the ranch. She loved that life and kept as much of the 'cowboy lifestyle' in her life as she could. In 1951 her family moved to Albuquerque, NM where she kept her roots close to her heart her entire life. Following in her mother's footsteps, Jeannie became a Realtor. She sold real estate in the Albuquerque area and then the east mountain area for over 40 years. Jeannie continued the family business, Rathbun Realty, for years after her mother's passing in 2001. As many clients of Jeannie will recall, when you bought or sold a house through Rathbun Realty, you became a part of the family. Her business ethics stemmed from her down home roots. She in turn passed those codes of conduct down to her children and grandchildren. Jeannie was very proud of her 42 year membership of Alcoholics Anonymous. She got sober in February, 1972 and never looked back. Her life was changed forever because of AA. She made lifelong friendships and met her husband, Jim Rathbun, there too. Over the years Jeannie sponsored several young women in AA and made a valuable contribution to that program. Jeannie played the piano for many years at Grace Baptist Church in Edgewood, New Mexico, where her son, Brett Travis is Pastor. Jeannie loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In her later years as her health declined, she cherished those visits from her grand babies. The family would like to thank the entire staff of Hospice of the Sandias for their continued support and help these past few months. Viewing will be held Sunday December 7, 2014 from 2pm-5pm at Harris-Hanlon at 807 Central Moriarty, NM. Funeral Services will be held at First Baptist Church of Edgewood, at 20 Leslie Lane on December 8, 2014 at 1pm. Reception immediately following services.