Nelda Fayrene ButlerPowers, 96, passed away
December 13, 2024 in
the home of her daughter
Susan. Fayrene was
born October 12, 1928
at Tinsley Crossing to
Wesley Earl and Yedda
Butler. She was raised
on her grandparents’
homestead south of
Floyd and graduated
from Floyd High School
in 1946. She attended
Eastern New Mexico
University where she met her husband, DeSoto “Hote”
Powers, and married in 1948. She graduated in 1950
and began a long and dedicated career in public school
education. She first taught at Field, NM. In 1957, she and
Hote settled in Dexter where they raised their family and
both taught and were administrators in Dexter Schools.
She retired as Assistant Superintendent in 1988 and moved
to Portales. NM and worked at Golden Library at ENMU.
She was also involved in many volunteer organizations
throughout the community and was a lifetime member of
the Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Desoto Powers,
parents Wesley and Yedda Butler, brothers Wesley Earl
Butler Jr. and Vaughn Butler. Survivors include her son
Michael Powers and wife Caron of Portales NM, son Terry
Powers of Clear Lake Shores, TX, and daughter Susan
Powers Flora and her husband Tim of Lafayette, CO.;
grandchildren Jefferson Powers and wife Kelsey, Jackson
Powers, Geoffrey Flora, Sean Flora and wife Stasia; great
granddaughters, Collins Elizabeth Powers, Aviana Salina
Flora and Emmeline Fayrene Flora.
Contributions can be made to Meals on Wheels-Portales or
The National Audubon Society in Fayrene’s name.
Memorial services are scheduled for Thursday, February
6, 2025, 1:00 PM at First United Methodist Church in
Portales, NM with Pastor James Heredia officiating.
