Ruby Forrestine (Teena) Atchley was welcomed home to heaven on June 9, 2013. Teena was born May 8, 1942, to Forrest and Ruby Atchley of Mount Dora, New Mexico. She passed away June 9, 2013 in Odessa, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Forrest and Ruby Atchley, and her brother, Wayne Atchley.
Teena is survived by three sisters and a sister in law: Violet Brockman of Tramperos Ranch, New Mexico; DeAnna Richardson of Sedan, New Mexico; Elaine Aschbacher and her husband Leon of Tijeras, New Mexico; and Martha Atchley of Amarillo, Texas. She is also survived by 10 nieces and nephews and 30 great-nieces and great-nephews. Other survivors include Ruth Page and a legion of friends.
Teena spent 42 years as a deaf educator, beginning as an audiologist, working as a classroom teacher, and finishing her career as a deaf administrator. She taught in Iowa, Utah, Idaho and California before returning to Texas, where she lived for the past 25 years. “With those beautiful hands, she gave the deaf a language” describes her work as an interpreter for the deaf. Teena interpreted in educational settings, church and teaching services, and was quite frequently summoned to interpret for deaf and hard of hearing individuals who were hospitalized or otherwise needed interpreters.
Teena was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Odessa, where she was a Sunday School Teacher. She also organized and was the teaching leader of the women’s Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) of Odessa. Her deep love of her Lord and knowledge of scripture were an inspiration and a blessing to the BSF participants.
After her retirement, Teena became a hospice volunteer. She also spent a great deal of time in northeastern New Mexico, attending to the business of her farming and ranching interests.
A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church, Odessa, Texas, at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. An additional service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Clayton, New Mexico, at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 14, 2013. Interment will follow in the Clayton Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to AnGel Ministries (Anne Graham Lotz) at AnGelministries.com or 5115 Hollyridge Drive, Raleigh, NC 27612; or to the New Mexico Baptist Children’s Home, 2200 South Avenue I, Portales, New Mexico 88130.
Services are entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.
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