Clota Schmitz

Clota Bates Schmitz, 83, a life-long resident of Mountainair went to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 17, 2008 in Albuquerque, NM. Clota was born May 11, 1924 in Sweetwater, OK to Raymond and Martha Rice, the seventh of nine children. Clota is preceded in death by her parents, husband Denzel Bates, son Crandall Bates, 1 brother and 4 sisters. Clota is survived by her husband Eugene Schmitz of Albuquerque, NM; daughters, Pamela Bates Breeze of California; Aleta Bates Cooper of New Jersey; step-daughter Genie Schmitz Monk of Mountainair; sisters, Opal Coen; Corinne Poe; and Nelda Williams. Clota was the proud grandmother of Kimberly Ohls of California; Kelly Barham of Nevada; Tammy Pelletier and Cynthia Gamble of Albuquerque, Chad Cooper of Florida; Kaylyn Bates of Edgewood; and James Monk of Grants. She leaves behind twelve great-grandchildren: Cameron Ohls, Brooke and Mitchell Barham, Ritchie and Davey Flores, Peter and Philip King; Meeka, Kelsey, Julia, Isaac and Samuel Gamble, and Christopher Monk. After her career with the U.S. Forest Service, she and Gene spent the winters of their retirement years as residents of Apache Junction, AZ, before returning to Albuquerque. A viewing will be held Sunday, April 20, 2008 from 2:00-4:00 PM at the Harris-Hanlon Mortuary in Mountainair, NM. A funeral service will be held Monday, April 21, 2008 at 1:00 PM at the Harris-Hanlon Mortuary in Mountainair, NM. Interment will follow at the Mountainair Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jim Breeze, Robert Ohls, Bret Barham, Leon Monk, James Monk, James Gamble, and Chad Cooper. Honorary pallbearers will be Reuben Garrison, John Erwin, Sam Blackshear, Glenn Goar, Kenny Shaw, Richard Spencer, Curly Hollon, Jeff Pelletier and Jack Greene. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be sent either to Zia Hospice Foundation, 4141 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 or Alzheimer’s Association, 9500 Montgomery NE Suite 209, Albuquerque, NM 87111. Arrangements entrusted to Harris-Hanlon Mortuary “Our Family Serving Your Family” (5050 832-6130 www.Harris-HanlonMortuary.com