Ina Mae Mitchell

Ina Mae Merritt-Mitchell, a second generation native New Mexican, passed away on April 2, 2014 with her family by her side. She was born on December 5, 1931 in Ewing, New Mexico. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Rose Merritt; brothers, Lee Weldon, William Cody, Robert Maxwell, and George Linton; and sisters, Tommie Jeane, Opal Lynnette Dean, and Lucy Jane. She was the last living of the nine Merritt children. Ina was also preceded in death by her loving husband of 42 years, Billy Ray in 1990. She is survived by her daughter Kelly; son-in-law, Rocklan; her beloved grandchildren Ashlyn and Braeden Lawrence; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ina's faith in our Heavenly Father served her all of her life. She was a member of Hoffmantown Church. She graduated from Estancia High School in 1947. She received her BS in Business' graduating Summa Cum Laude, from the University of Albuquerque, and her MBA from New Mexico Highlands University with Honors. Ina had an outstanding civilian career with the United States Air Force at Kirtland Air Force Base lasting thirty-four years and eleven months. There, she was a top program analyst for the Air Force Operation Test & Evaluation Center (AFOTEC & AFSWC) where she was responsible and actively worked on the B-1 and Stealth Bombers. She was an active participant in the International Test & Evaluation Association. Upon her retirement in 1988, she received The Department of The Air Force outstanding Civilian Career Service Award. Ina enjoyed volunteering her time for Jobs Daughters, Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile, and The Shriner's Burn and Crippled Children's Hospitals. She was very active in the National Federation of Republican Women, volunteering for Steve Schiff, Pete Domenici, Gary Johnson, and Heather Wilson. She fondly spoke of her evening with President George Bush and First Lady Barbara. She will be remembered for her steadfast faith, endless love of family, and quick wit. Ina's service will be on April 9th, at 11:00am at FRENCH-Lomas Chapel, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE, with interment following at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE.