Zelma Pearl Combest

Zelma Pearl Combest, age 102, a resident of Albuquerque for 19 years, went home to the Lord on Thursday, May 1, 2014. She is survived by her daughters, Donna Schiller and Billie Key, both of Albuquerque; five grandchildren, Jim Key and wife, Jeanine of Albuquerque, Ronald Nauta and wife, Jerrie of Raymondsville, MO, Laura Williams and husband, Jody of Rio Rancho, NM, Cheryl Wallace and husband, Dan of Albuquerque and Diana Braswell and husband, Danny of Valley Glen, CA; eight great grandchildren, Ryan Cox, Benjamin Broshious and wife, Monica, Matthew Key, Ronnie Nauta and wife, Cindy all of Albuquerque, Shay Lynn Williams of Rio Rancho, NM, Alysa Braswell of Valley Glen, CA, Stephanie Ellison and husband, Jason of Clovis, NM, and Shiela Martinez and husband, Aaron of Woodbridge, VA; five great-great grandchildren; brothers, Alva Price and wife, Barbara of Raton, NM; many nieces and nephews; and numerous other relatives and friends. Zelma was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-nine years, Bill Combest; daughter, Barbara Nauta; parents, Minet and Nora Price; and siblings, Jess Price, Fred Price, Beulah McCartney and Ina Price. She was born in 1911 in Sanger, TX and after graduating from Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM Zelma started her teaching career in the early thirties at Malpais, NM. She married Bill Combest, her loving husband, in 1933 and they ranched in the Kiowa Ranch area before moving to Raton in 1945, where she taught school at Koehler, NM. When the mines at Koehler closed in 1954, she taught at two elementary schools in Raton where she retired in 1974. Zelma moved to Albuquerque in 1994 to be with her daughters. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society, BPW, Retired Teachers Association of New Mexico, and Hospital Auxiliary. Zelma was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at FRENCH - Wyoming with Pastor Ken Moore officiating. Interment will take place at Fairmont Cemetery in Raton, NM. Zelma's family would like to express their thanks to Montebello on Academy for the loving care they gave her for the last two and a half years. FRENCH - Wyoming 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE 505-823-9400