Carol Campbell
Carol Lynn Watkins – Campbell, 85 of Waddell, AZ passed away January 10, 2021 at home, peaceful among family.
She was born November 24, 1935 in Seiling, Oklahoma to the home of H. L. “Dick” Watkins and Arvella Lydia Scott – Watkins. The family moved to Clovis, New Mexico shortly thereafter where she graduated Primary and High School. Carol had five children, Debbie, Michael, Danny, Daniel and David.
Carol spent most of her adult life in Portales, NM where she graduated from Eastern New Mexico University with Honors and a Bachelor’s in Art Education. She taught high school and Adult Art classes, then being a farmer’s daughter, decided to take a job with the US Department of Agriculture.
With a pioneer spirit, she was one of the nation’s first women to conduct field operations and aerial photogrammetry. She further went on to be the nation’s first female County Executive Director, (CED) and later District Director, (DD) of 1/3 of the State of NM, a territory larger than New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island combined. She received National Recognition for her training manual which was adopted federally as a Standard Best Practice.
A prolific painter, Carol won several awards and proudly sold multiple works displayed across New Mexico and the Southwest. She was best known for her landscape oil paintings memorializing aging Southwest Churches, Farms, Barns and Mailboxes.
Upon retiring, she and her husband, Melvin Campbell opened a very successful art framing business in Raton NM, where she represented multiple highly successful NM artists. She put her keen eye to displaying their talents and works which were sold and displayed nationwide.
Preceded in death by: Parents, Dick 77 and Arvella 72 Brother, Scotty 87 Son, Michael 64, Daughter, Debbie age 1 week
Survived by: Son, Danny 64 of Portales, NM, Son Daniel, 62 of Albuquerque, NM, Son, David, 58 of Waddell, AZ, 6 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren
Due to the lunacy of the last year and their wishes, we will be having a simple graveside service for both Mother and Son. Carol and Michael’s ashes will be interred together with family.
The service is open to the public at Wheeler Cemetery, Portales, NM, Friday April 9th at 10am.
