Eathel Hedgecoke, 89 a longtime Fort Sumner resident died Monday, February 25, 2002 in the Pecos Valley Care Center at Fort Sumer following a short illness. Mrs. Hedgecoke was born February 13, 1913 in Red Moon County, Oklahoma the daughter of John William Cones and the former Luanna Akers. She was reared and attended school at New Kirk, NM. They made their home in Fort Sumner in 1944. Eathel was a loving mother, grandmother and friend who enjoyed crocheting and piecing quilts. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner. She was preceded in death by her husband Edward Willis Hedgecoke on September 2, 1996; an infant son Willis Wayne Hedgecoke in 1942; a sister Hattie Effie Bailey and one brother John H. Cones. Survivors include four daughter Dorthy Rose Hickey and husband Max of Golden, Missouri; Betty Ann Wafful and husband Bill of East Syracuse, New York; Florence Eathel Rowel and husband Troy of Albuquerque; Nancy Carol Sutton and husband Del of Amarillo, Texas. Also surviving is Eathel's longtime friend who she considered as a daughter, Charlene Mitchell and husband Joe of Fort Sumner. Other survivors include 12 grandchildren, 18 Great-grandchildren, and 2 Great-Great-grandchildren along with two brothers Bill Cones of Fort Sumner, Roy Cones of Sand Diego, California and one sister Dorthy Bruce of Phoenix, Arizona along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends and good neighbors. Funeral services at First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner with Reverend Coy Brewer officiating. Burial will follow at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Glenn Holland, Joe Mitchell, Boby Russ, David Bailey, Beryl Blakely, and Jose Garcia. Honorary bearers wil be all her friends and family.

The family prefers memorial contributions to the Baptist Children's Home, Portales, NM. Chavez Funeral Home of Fort Sumner, NM.