Valerie Beth Lopez, 46, of Rio Rancho, passed away on March 10, 2026 after a brief and hard-fought battle with cancer.
Valerie was born on October 15, 1979, in Amarillo to David Lee Hardgrove and Glenda Reeve Richards. She grew into a devoted wife, loving mother, proud grandmother, and compassionate educator whose kindness touched many lives.
Valerie worked as a special education teacher and had a heart for helping others. She was deeply passionate about supporting her students and ensuring every child felt valued, understood, and capable of success. Her patience, warmth, and dedication made a lasting impact on the children and families she served.
Above all else, Valerie treasured her family. She was a proud mother of two daughters and five sons, and she loved cheering them on in every stage of life. Whether it was attending football games, band concerts, or school events, Valerie was always there to support and celebrate her children.
She also cherished her role as “Mema” to her six beloved grandchildren, who brought immense joy to her life. Valerie loved traveling, shopping, and most of all spending time with the people she loved. Her vibrant spirit and joyful personality left a mark everywhere she went, and she had a special way of leaving a little bit of sparkle in the lives of those around her.
Valerie is survived by her loving husband, David Lopez; her daughters, Sabrina Lopez of Phoenix and Marissa (Adam) Rhodes of San Antonio; her young sons, Ryan, Teddy, Juan, Tony, and Nuriyah; and her cherished grandchildren, Maritza, Yadira, Ulysses, Jeydon, Naomi, and Ahsoka.
She is also survived by her mother, Glenda Richards of Lubbock; her mother-in-law, Gloria Lopez of Phoenix; as well as many sisters, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, and dear friends who will miss her deeply.
Valerie will be remembered for her loving heart, her devotion to her family, her dedication to her students, and the light she brought into every room. Her memory will live on through the countless lives she touched.
A celebration of life was held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Celebration Baptist Church, 5620 Laredo Rd NE in Rio Rancho. In honor of her vibrant spirit, guests are encouraged to wear their brightest sparkles and favorite tiaras to celebrate her colorful, joy-filled life.
Sandra Rainey, 83 of Amarillo, formerly of Friona passed away in Amarillo March 29, 2026. Viewing was held in the Ron Smiley Memorial Chapel of the funeral home Wednesday April 1, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM and Celebration of Life Services begin at 10:00 AM with Pastor Duke Underwood, officiating. Burial was at 4:00 PM at Weinert Cemetery in Weinert, Texas entrusted to HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona.
Sandra was born February 8, 1943 in Forth Worth to Ark Colquit and Virginia Waldean Hix Allred. She later married Luther Lewis “Bud” Rainey May 27, 1961 in Abilene, Texas. Sandra was the librarian at the Friona Jr. High School for an amazing 36 years, and she loved every moment of it. Outside of work she loved being with family and making sure they were all well fed. She was known for her great chicken fried steak and red beans. She loved holidays and big family gatherings but also trips with her family.
She is preceded in death by her parents-Ark and Virginia Allred, 1 son-Jeffrey Lewis Rainey, 2 brother-Gary Allred, and Don Allred, and 1 sister-Shirley Davis.
Those to mourn her passings include her husband-Bud Rainey of Amarillo, 1 daughter-Kristi Diann Neill and husband Mike of Amarillo, 1 son-Russel Craig Rainey and wife Eileen of Kearney, Nebraska, 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
You may send blessings to the family and sign the online guest book exclusively at: hansardfamily.com
Paula Dean Fairchild, 86 of Lubbock, formerly of Friona, passed away March 29, 2026 in Lubbock. Viewing and family visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM Friday April 3, 2026 in the Ron Smiley Memorial Chapel of the funeral home with Celebration of Life Graveside Services set for 11:00 AM at Friona Cemetery. Burial following entrusted to HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona.
Paula was born on October 9, 1939, to Otis and Athelea Neel, and spent her early years in the Bula, Texas community. She later moved to Friona during her high school years and was a proud graduate of Friona High School, where she met her future husband, Larry “Butch” Fairchild. They were united in marriage on June 10, 1958, beginning a lifelong partnership built on love and and shared values.
Paula and Larry made their first home together in the Friona community. In 1974, they moved to Adrian, where they continued to build their life and put down deep roots. As a devoted homemaker, mother, and farmer’s wife, Paula embraced life on the farm and found joy in creating a warm and loving home that served as the foundation for those she cherished most. Paula considered her faith and her family her greatest blessings.
She was an active participant in every community she called home. Paula was a faithful member of the Adrian Church of Christ and the Friona Church of Christ, where she taught the children’s Bible classes and generously shared her time and talents. She also served her community in many ways and was honored as Oldham County Woman of the Year. Paula was never idle; she was an accomplished seamstress and quilter, creating more than 200 quilts for friends and family and sharing her skills by teaching quilting classes. She and Larry enjoyed traveling together, especially to their beloved Colorado, and she made lifelong friends wherever she went. In her later years, she returned to Friona, Texas, and lived in Lubbock from 2022 until her passing.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Larry “Butch” Fairchild; her infant son, Larry Dean Fairchild; her parents, Otis and Athelea Neel; her sister, Kay Neel; and her brother, Gerald Neel.
She leaves behind a strong legacy of family, including her three children: Tammy Gammon and husband Mark; Jeffery Fairchild and wife Patty; and Vicki Crain and husband David. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Heath Gammon, Lori Rutledge, Matt Gammon, Lindsey Tatum, Tyler Fairchild, Logan Fairchild, Caroline Crain, and Miles Crain; as well as eleven great-grandchildren who brought her immense joy.
Paula will be remembered for her strong faith, her enduring love for her family, and the meaningful life she lived in service to others. Her legacy of love will continue to live on in all who knew her.
Memorial gifts may be directed to High Plains Children’s Home at https://www.hpch.org/giving.You may send blessings to the family and sign the online guest book exclusively at: hansardfamily.com
Buddy Wiseman, 94 of Friona passed away March 27, 2026 in Friona. Viewing was held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday, March 30, 2026 in the Ron Smiley Memorial Chapel of the funeral home with Celebration of Life Services were Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at First Baptist Church in Friona with Jeff Procter, Kevin Wiseman and Mitchell Wiseman, officiating. Burial at 3:00 PM in the Sudan Cemetery in Sudan, Texas entrusted to HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona.
Buddy was born January 10, 1932 at home on the farm between Muleshoe and Sudan, Texas. He was the third child of six born to Charles and Mable Wiseman. He grew up and attended school in Sudan. As a young boy he took violin lessons and was in the band. As he grew older he was involved in football, basketball, Ag and FFA. He also boxed while in school and won several tournaments in his weight division. Buddy also won several honors in football and received a football scholarship to Colorado State University in Colorado upon high school graduation. Buddy graduated from Sudan High School in 1950. Buddy met his beautiful bride, Betty Elaine Turner in September of 1948 as juniors in high school. Betty was the Jr. Class candidate for the Fall Festival Queen and Buddy was her escort. He asked her for a date a little after the festival and a true and long-lasting love story began. Buddy & Betty married on Sunday morning, August 5, 1951 at the Methodist Church in Sudan. This love story produced four children: Cynthia Elaine in 1952, Kevin Lynn in 1955, Mitchell Wade in 1957 and Christie Ann in 1964, fifteen grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren and three great-great grandsons. Buddy served in the Navy Reserves for nine years. Shortly after Buddy & Betty’s marriage, Buddy earned the American Farmer Degree. He worked with Brown Swiss cattle as part of that project and won many awards showing them. Buddy and Betty moved several times and lived in Littlefield, Farwell, Enoch, Sudan and settled in Friona, Texas in January of 1968. He farmed several sections and was excited when he was able to buy his own land to farm. Buddy enjoyed farming and when driving anywhere with his family, the crops we passed while driving were always a topic of conversation. He enjoyed going to the gin and Hub Café to drink coffee with all the farmers and playing dominoes. He also enjoyed attending his kids’ and grandkids’ activities. He was known as Grandaddy “B” to his grandkids, great grands and great-great grands. He was a great farmer and an humble man who had faith in his Lord. His love for his family was unmeasurable and he did everything he could to provide for his wife and family.
Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mable Wiseman; an infant brother; brother T.C.; sisters Paula Shaw and Charline Griffin; granddaughter Heather Proctor; and grandsons Landon Wiseman and Andrew Spring.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of seventy-four years, Betty of Friona; daughter Cynthia and husband Mike Proctor of New Braunfels; son Kevin Wiseman and wife Carolyn of Friona; son Mitchell Wiseman and wife Johnnie of Friona; and daughter Christie and husband John Spring of Canyon; sister Frances Sisco and husband Leroy of Boerne; brother-in-law Tommy Rosson of Hereford; twelve grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren and three great-great grandsons and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church - Friona, Texas, Prairie Acres Nursing Home – Friona, Texas or a favorite charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Prairie Acres Nursing Home and the nurses at Bluebonnet Hospice for their special care of Buddy over the last three years.
You may send blessings to the family and sign the online guest book exclusively at hansardfamily.com