Johnnie Patricia (Newbill) Justus September 25, 1931 ~ July 12, 2022 (age 90)

Obituary

Graveside services for Johnnie Justus, 90, of Portales, will be held at 10:00 AM, Sat., July 16, 2022 in the Melrose Cemetery with Chaplain Johnny Lizarraga officiating. Justin Hinderliter, Hampton Hinderliter, Aviana Hinderliter and Monroe Hinderliter will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Johnnie Patricia (Newbill) Justus passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on the afternoon of July 12, 2022. She was born in Melrose, New Mexico on September 25, 1931 to Inez (Christesson) and Cliff Newbill. She graduated from Melrose High School with honors on May 13, 1949. Johnnie was an exceptional student and enjoyed tutoring other students who were struggling in school. She loved helping others.

Johnnie married the love of her life, C. H. Justus, on May 15, 1949 in Melrose. C. H. and Johnnie made their first home on a dairy farm in Fields, New Mexico. In 1958, they moved their dairy farm to Portales, New Mexico. Johnnie worked at the Roosevelt County Clerk’s office for several years. She really enjoyed her co-workers and developed life-long friendships while employed there.

In 1972, Johnnie received her Real Estate License. She co-owned Justus Realty with her husband, C. H., for 35 years.

Johnnie was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother and friend. She treated her grandchildren like they were her own kids. She loved bird watching, reading, good music, dancing, travelling and writing poetry. Most of all, she loved family.

Johnnie will forever be remembered for all she has done for her family. She gave each one of them the encouragement to believe in themselves and to have the strength and confidence to succeed in life.

Johnnie is survived by her two daughters, Sherri Justus of Portales and Darlene Hinderliter of Dallas, TX; her two grandchildren, Stacy (Flemming) Hinderliter and Justin (Anastasia) Hinderliter; her three great-grandchildren, Aviana Hinderliter, Hampton Hinderliter and Monroe Hinderliter; her brother and sister-in-law, Randall and Charlotte Newbill of Coppell, TX, and her brother-in-law, Bobby Hardin of North Richland Hills, TX. She was preceded in death by her parents, Inez and Cliff Newbill, her sister, Jackie Hardin and by C. H. Justus, her beloved husband of more than 66 years who died November 23, 2015.

The family would like to thank Mary Ann Garcia, Susie Ownsber, Liliana Gurrola and Kindred Care for helping her during her last days. Thank you all for your love and kindness during this extremely difficult time.

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