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PORTALES, NM - Nelson Rector was born on Nov. 29, 1932 in the Bethel Community, NM, to the home of Clara Elizabeth (Miller) and Kenna Terrell, and died on Nov. 19, 2020, at home with his family by his side.
He was born and raised in the Bethel Community. He attended the Floyd Schools and he had Polio when he was in the 2nd grade. He didn’t let that slow him down. He played baseball and basketball at Floyd High School. He graduated Valedictorian from Floyd High School in 1951. He stayed close friends with many of his graduating class. He met Rebbecca Rose Elliott while in school at Floyd
He met Rebbecca Rose Elliott while in school at Floyd and asked her to the Senior Prom. They were married on June 1, 1952 at the Floyd Church of Christ.
He was a devoted Christian and was a member of Church of Christ and was on the Floyd School Board for 12 years. He worked as a dairy farmer his whole life until 1985 when they sold the dairy cows. He was also a lifelong rancher and farmer. He enjoyed playing bridge at the Portales and Clovis Senior Centers and more recently playing bridge online. He loved baseball, dominoes, arrowhead hunting and telling corny jokes.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years Rose Rector of Portales; his children, Delbert Rector and wife Char of Portales, Rebecca Riley and husband Tom of Stanton, Audrey Washburn and husband Gerry Curtis of Carlsbad, Leslie Rector and wife Cathy of Portales, and Lloyd Rector and wife Samantha of Portales; his sister Kenna Jones of Portales; 11 grandchildren, Amy and Steve Allen, Lauren and Shan Courtney, Josh and Janel Rector, Amanda and Trent Simpson, Belinda and Matt Sellers, Kayti Herring, Rosemary Washburn, Allison Washburn, Grant and Cristy Washburn, Dena and Scott Paden, and Jana and Tully Stansell; 27 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Jerry Rector.
In Lieu of Flowers the family request donations be made to the New Mexico Christian Children's Home at 1356 NM 236, Portales, NM 88130.