Lena May Wall

Lena May Wall January 3, 1927 – July 10, 2023 Well before Lena was born, her family blazed a trail alongside other New Mexico Pioneers coming across the Missouri trail. Lena loved attending a small school in Clayton, NM along with her twin brother Lee and brother Leon. After serving in the Army during WW1, her father James Lloyd Davis also served in the WPA during WW2 in Phoenix and several other places, including the El Paso area. He was assigned a special task to help design and “hollow out” a secret base, leading to their decision to settle in Albuquerque. Her mother Ethel did not want to spend her life cooking for field hands, and wanted her 3 children to graduate from a good High School, Albuquerque High. As a young woman, Lena was a very popular soda jerk working Meacham’s Pharmacy lunch counter. She quickly learned to smoke, because only smokers got breaks! After his service in the US Navy during WW2, Lewis Wall had moved from Pueblo, CO and was employed with Mountain States Telephone Company, commonly known as “Ma Bell.” While there, he rose quickly through the ranks to earn the prestigious title of the “best communications machine equipment repair man in the Region.” Lewis and Lena met one afternoon when Lewis paid for his soda and slipped a note to Lena asking for a date. Lena quickly said yes and was surprised when Lewis showed up, since she thought it was the guy next to him who had asked her out! From their first date, Lena’s mom and dad really liked Lewis. After a short time, they were married at their home, beautifully decorated by her mother Ethel, in front of a gorgeous fireplace at 444 Hermosa. Shortly after they were married, they bought a small home in the north valley of Los Ranchitos, NM. After having a daughter, Mary Lou, and a son, Richard Lewis, they purchased a lovely home on a large lot where Lena could enjoy a rose garden, a large half acre garden plot, an orchard, and various chickens and critters. Lena and Lewis spent many happy evenings sitting together enjoying each other’s company, as well as the company of many neighbors, on their front porch. Her son Richard achieved the State Wrestling Title for Valley and graduated in 1973. He decided to leave NM and explore the West Coast, only to never be heard from again. Mary married Charles D. Hester, a Captain in the US Air Force, and gained alongside him 3 bright, bold and talented children giving Lena her first grandchildren. Charles Jr.(Sonja), Christine Marie and Michael Russell(Teri), who Lena said all brightened her world. Charles and Mary later added two more grandchildren for Lena to enjoy; Ashley Maricha(Lorne) and Terrance Lewis Denver(Meilea) added more joy and smiles, and they sure kept Lena entertained! Tragically Lewis passed suddenly in 1991 from an aneurysm, breaking Lena’s heart. Through the years, Lena received so many cards, gifts, and visits from her family and friends, which she always loved to talk about and show off. A fall at Halloween in 2019 resulted in many health challenges for Lena, but she worked hard to stay active and enjoyed life with activities and new friends. Lena’s great grand children include Cierra, Hayden, Lauren, Miranda, Randy Lee, Mikayla, Justin, Dez, Ray, Junior, Maricha, Laiken, Hayley, Noah, Adam, Annelee and Lucas. Lena also got to enjoy several great-great grandchildren in Lily, Cayden, Brodie, Anastasia, and Rhiannon. All these sweet grandchildren were her pride and joy! She loved receiving letters, pictures as they grew, and looked forward to their weekly Sunday visits! The staff at Beehive and Heartland helped her enjoy life until Heavenly Father called her home on July 10, 2023. Lena will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Lewis L Wall, at Fairview Cemetery.