FUENTES, Sellme Virgil (Grammie)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 07/18/2014 Sellme Virgil Pettijohn Fuentes, wife of World War II veteran, Sidney Hugh Fuentes, passed away Monday morning, July 14, 2014. She was born May 11, 1926 in San Diego, Calif., and was raised in that area with many memorable visits to see her cousins in central Texas. She had recently celebrated her 88th birthday. Her father was Thomas Jefferson Pettijohn and her mother was Sellme Virgil Baker Pettijohn. In 1943, Sellme’s family moved to Karruth Canyon north of Luna, N.M. Sellme attended her senior year at Reserve High School and met Hugh that year. After graduation, Sellme’s family moved back to San Diego. She worked a year at Rohr Aircraft Factory. During that time Hugh had leave from the Army and proposed. He shipped out and fought on Okinawa where he was wounded the following June. Sellme returned to Luna. She taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Spur Lake on an Emergency Teaching Certificate. On Nov. 17, 1945, Sellme and Hugh were married in Luna. Their first four children were born while they lived there. They moved to Albuquerque in 1955 for Hugh to get an accounting degree from Albuquerque Business College. Their fifth child was born there. In 1959 the family moved back to Luna where Sellme worked as a secretary for the U.S. Forest Service. In the summer of 1962 the Fuentes family moved to Round Valley and put down roots. Sellme loved the Round Valley community and the many friends she made. She and Hugh were active members of the LDS church. She held a variety of teaching and leadership positions at church including Relief Society president. She and Hugh served an 18 month mission in New Zealand. Following, they worked for 20 years in the Mesa and Snowflake temples. Sellme loved books and was an avid reader with an amazing memory. Sellme is preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, John Wesley, Thomas Wade and Derwent Jean; and her only sister, Marjorie Irene. Sellme still has two living brothers, Jack Edward and Richard Samuel. She is survived by her sweetheart and friend, Hugh, and all five children born to them: Virgie Ann Jensen of Boise, Idaho; Kathrine Jeanette Lewis of Ava, Mo.; Charles Hugh Fuentes of Joseph City; Justine Faye Wiltbank of Eagar; and Coral Jo Ashton of Greer; 21 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren and two great-great-granddaughters. Sellme was “Grammie” to them and their friends. She was respected and loved by many and will be missed by many for years to come. Visitation was held July 17 at Burnham Mortuary in Eagar. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 18, at the Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Eagar with visitation one hour prior. Burnham Mortuary of Eagar handled the arrangements for the family. To send an online condolence, visit www.burnhammortuary.com.