Gracie Mae Wilcher February 14, 1939 ~ February 17, 2024 (age 85)

A celebration of the life of Gracie Mae Wilcher will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, February 23, 2024 in the Wheeler Mortuary Chapel, 500 E. 3rd St, in Portales with Pastor Rick Wilcher of the Floyd Baptist Church officiating, accompanied by his sisters, Ladona Clayton and Cynthia Kendrick.  Burial will follow in the Portales Cemetery with Rick and Janet Wilcher, Ladona and Mark Clayton, Cynthia and Kelley Kendrick and Steve Goff serving as pallbearers.  The family will receive guests at the funeral home on Thursday afternoon from 4:00 to 6:00 PM.

Gracie Mae Wilcher, age 85, passed away at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis, NM, surrounded by her family on February 17, 2024. She was born February 14, 1939, in Dora, NM, to Horace B. and Carrie (Turner) Wilcher.  She was the 8th born of nine children.

Gracie was the epitome of Mark 10:14-15: Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” Gracie had the innocence, simplicity, and wonder of a little child, and a relentless faith that could move mountains. She anxiously awaited the arrival of her Savior to take her home and spoke of this event so often. She could quote every scripture of the evangelical Rapture without missing a beat and held steadfast to her faith up to the moment she took her last breath, knowing that Jesus and her family awaited her arrival with open arms. She was the joy of our hearts!

At an early age, Gracie suffered ongoing tonic-clonic (grand-mal) seizures, which adversely affected her brain functions and ability to develop into a fully independent adult. As a result, she needed ongoing support, although she was able to develop life skills that served her well. In spite of this major setback, she approached life with expectation, enthusiasm, and gratitude. Her older sister, Jayne, served as her constant companion and caregiver throughout her adult life until she passed away in 2018. At that time, her family in Portales, Clovis, and Abilene had the honor of caring for her and ensuring she remained as independent as possible.

Gracie’s hobbies included embroidering beautiful, frameable pictures and landscapes, crocheting useful items, and completing complicated jigsaw puzzles that she had framed for display on her walls. She was meticulous in her organizational skills, took great pride in maintaining her home, enjoyed spontaneous humor, and never failed to delight her nieces and nephews with her Christian songs and delightful antics. She was a master of games, and upending her championship reign in Sorry, checkers, and Touring never came to fruition. She developed a special love for all things Hello Kitty, including a lap blanket, clothing, mugs, and stuffed toys. She was thrilled to learn that her headstone featured Hello Kitty, and ensured she was featured in a picture beside it before departing this life. She was overjoyed to learn that her coffin honored the same beloved character she had grown so fond of these many years.

Gracie is survived by her many nieces and nephews, including Rick (Janet) Wilcher of Portales, NM; Ladona (Mark) Clayton of Clovis, NM; Cynthia (Kelley) Kendrick of Abilene, TX; Larry (Sandy) Jernigan of Lancaster, CA; Jerry (Melinda) Hamlin of Springfield, OR; Burton (Cindy) Jernigan of Lakeport, CA; Ron West of Fresno, CA; Calvin (Shannon) Wilcher of Athens, TX; Teresa Dunavant of Plainview, TX; Karen Jernigan Edwards of Spokane, WA; and Thomas “Tom” Leon Box of Woburn, MA. She was preceded in death by her parents, H.B. and Carrie Wilcher, her sisters, Juanita (Edward) Jernigan, Betty (Leroy) Taylor, Helen “Ruth” (Felix) Cleveland, Jayne (Clyde) Golding, Hazel (W.B.) Jernigan of Spokane, WA, and her brothers, Calvin “Pete,” Bobby, and Donald Joe “Spook” (Ina) Wilcher.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gracie Mae Wilcher, please visit our floral store.