Liberty Raine Ethridge Claypool, age 27, died on Monday, February 24, 2025, in Texline, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, March 3, 2025, at the Don R. Wood Auditorium in Clayton, New Mexico with Rev. Hilario Perez, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Clayton, officiating. Burial will follow in the Clayton Memorial Cemetery by Hass Funeral Directors of Clayton. There will be a potluck meal at the Clayton Civic Center following the burial.

Liberty Raine Ethridge Claypool was born on June 5, 1997, in Clayton, New Mexico. She attended school in Clayton and graduated from Clayton High School. While in school she played clarinet with the Clayton High School Pride Band and played in the 2013 State Fair Parade, and she earned several awards. Liberty graduated from Clayton High School with the class of 2015. Liberty was preceded in death by her grandparents, Thomas B. and Billie Jean Ethridge and Reuben and Nettie Gonzales and her mother-in-law, Kari Stovall Claypool.

Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Liberty's name came from this Scripture.

She liked "Libby". She knew lots of love as a child.  She was very close to Grandma Nettie Gonzales Turner.  She was her first babysitter and at the end of Grandma's life, Liberty lived with her, her Senior year to take care of Her.  Gunkle Lawrence, Aunt Jeannie, Uncle Steve and Aunt Susie helped raise her.  She spent quality time and loved her family with all she was.  She went to Clayton Schools. Her favorite person growing up was Uncle John Howard Chilcote.  Though he was an old man, he was Liberty's and Ruby's best friend.  She would come to The Eklund and sit at Table 10 until Mom got off work.  She commented at about 5 years old that she was "The Fastest Silverware Roller in the West" The servers would pay her to roll their 30 for them.  Liberty got to go to New York to see "The Statue of Me".  She had a true patriotic heart.  She went to Disneyland and got autographs of the Disney Princesses.  Liberty didn't miss very many State Fairs. It is a family tradition that will continue. She loved a good thrill. She loved her baby sister Nettie Jean dearly and was being a great Big Sister to her.  Michelle Lawrence has been her best friend since kindergarten.  Liberty was one day older than Michelle.   They have spent most of their birthdays together! She loved her Dad, Bryan.  She said, "He is the only man that she could fully trust." She was an artist, makeup artist and took lots of pictures.  She loved animals Cobalt, Blue, and Leo and her many Kitties she's had, especially Snowball.  Many hobbies include camping, fishing, singing, sewing. driving and Listening to her playlist, Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables were favorites of hers and her aunt Jeannie was able to take her to see these operas live.  Road trips with her cousin John's Playlist.  A compilation called Bosque 2005 was played on every family trip.

Her first cousin said this: "She carried an unshakable conviction in her heart, standing firm in her beliefs no matter the cost. But above all, she loved her babies fiercely, wrapping them in a love so deep and enduring that it became the very core of who she was."  Andre Maria.

Becky Claycomb said this Kindness for some is an act extended to others with positive regard. But for someone like Libby Ethridge kindness is what she is. I have only witnessed kindness at this unimaginable level in Liberty. She didn't just extend her kindness to family or friends she lived a life that exuded kindness in every aspect of her life. Her passing is absolutely heartbreaking, not only for those that loved her, but for those that missed out on getting to see her as the epitome of kindness. Rest in peace, sweet young lady."

She was someone who put the needs of others before her own and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Libby's personality is characterized by a unique blend of positivity, sociability, determination, kindness, and talent.

She loved her jobs.  Washburn Chiropractic, ROPE'S Clayton and Dalhart, and 87 Restaurant.

Overall, it is clear that Liberty's memory has had a profound and lasting impact on her family and the community.

SURVIVORS:

DAUGHTER: Elaina Rae Raines of Clayton, New Mexico.

SONS: Curtis Dustin Claypool of Clayton, New Mexico and Levi Cole Griffith of Petersburg, Texas.

HER PARENTS: Ruby and Bryan Ethridge of Clayton, New Mexico.

HER BIOLOGICAL FATHER: Damon Farner of Tiffin, Iowa.

7 SISTERS: Nettie Jean Ethridge of Clayton, New Mexico, Teonna Dowell and Hannah Farner of Wisconsin, Jackie Wright of Ohio, Chessaleigh Farner Robeterano of Colorado, Caitlinn Coombs and Sadie Farner of Iowa

BROTHER: Bryan James Ethridge and his wife Laura and their son Hayes Thomas Ethridge all of Penrose, Colorado.

AUNTS & UNCLES: Rosanne Garcia, Jeannie Montoya, Corrine Gonzales, Rebecca Baca, Dianna Young, Jerry Gonzales, Sue Latimer, Brad Ethridge and Penny Shelton

And numerous cousins and friends.