Louree Eloyse (Craig) Scales

Louree Eloyse Craig Scales was born to Walter Lee Craig and Mary Bell Saunders Criswell Craig in Herford, Texas.Louree was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Oma, Madell and Wilmeth; brother, Clinton; niece, Oma Lee McCluskey Creighton; and great-grandson Zakkerey Parker Scales. Louree is survived by her husband of 71 years, Joseph T. Scales; daughter, Louree Josephine Towell (Leon); son, Joseph Cecil Scales (Ouida); daughter, Lenora Willadene Scales; grandchildren, Sheila E. McQuade (Michael), Mari J. Arends (Vernell), Shari E. Schmidt (Erich), Dorothy E. May (Terry), Christopher C. Scales (Jennifer), Rick E. Hodges (Illa), Russell E. Hodges (Jessica), Martha N. Roberts (Clifford); 24 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Louree and Joe were introduced to each other at a mutual friend's house, they each nodded and continued on their way. He thought she was the most beautiful little country girl that he'd ever seen and says it was love at first sight. Joe was riding the range, near Ft. Sumner, tending to the cattle and noticed a car in the distance that seemed to be broken down with two young ladies, one of whom he had just met earlier that morning. They were stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire. After fixing the flat, he asked Louree out on a date and when she declined, her sister Madell said this man is a good man and it's okay to go on a date and date they did! Joe was drafted into the U.S. Army and was shipped off to basic training in Ft. Bliss, Texas on Dec., 7 1941. Louree often told the story to her children about when Joe hitchhiked home near Elida from his base in Miss., Oct. 31, 1942. Louree knew in her heart that her love was coming home at any moment and started packing her suitcase before Joe walked up the driveway. They married two days later on Nov. 2, 1942. Time was short, and Joe left for Germany during WWII to defend his family and country that he had left behind. Throughout the years, Louree and Joe made a home in various New Mexico cities. Louree was active in her church and the Gideon Auxiliary. Her passion for helping to spread the Word of God was evident by handing out white Gideon Bibles at San Juan College to graduating nurses. Mother and daddy were married for a beautiful 71 years. Louree's family would like to extend their gratitude to The Bridge of Farmington staff and to the staff at Guardian Angel Hospice including Sandy, Jackie and Sable. In lieu of flowers, please give donations for Gideon Bibles in the memory of Louree E. Scales at gideons.org http://www.gideons.org/. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, at Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, with graveside service to follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. Louree's care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington, 505-325-8688.