Ruby Forrestine "Teena" Atchley, age 71, was welcomed home to heaven on Sunday, June 9, 2013 in Odessa, Texas.

Memorial services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Odessa, Texas by Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors of Odessa, Texas. Funeral Services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 14, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Clayton, New Mexico, burial followed in the Clayton Cemetery by Hass Funeral Home of Clayton, New Mexico.

Teena was born on May 8, 1942, to Forrest and Ruby Atchley of Mount Dora, New Mexico. Teena spent 42 years as a deaf educator, beginning as an audiologist, working as a classroom teacher, and finishing her career as a deaf administrator. She taught in Iowa, Utah, Idaho and California before returning to Texas, where she lived for the past 25 years. "With those beautiful hands, she gave the deaf a language" describes her work as an interpreter for the deaf. Teena interpreted in educational settings, church and teaching services, and was quite frequently summoned to interpret for deaf and hard of hearing individuals who were hospitalized or otherwise needed interpreters. Teena was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Odessa, where she was a Sunday School Teacher. She also organized and was the teaching leader of the women's Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) of Odessa. Her deep love of her Lord and knowledge of scripture were an inspiration and a blessing to the BSF participants. After her retirement, Teena became a hospice volunteer. She also spent a great deal of time in northeastern New Mexico, attending to the business of her farming and ranching interests. In planting and harvesting season, she left her ministry and volunteer duties in Odessa to be a hands-on farmer. She loved the Sofia ranch and tried not to miss a gathering at the ranch. Teena knew that the best fertilizer she could use on her crops was her own shadow. She loved growing things, whether the growth came in a crop at the farm or the soul of a person she mentored.. She was preceded in death by her parents, Forrest and Ruby (Smith) Atchley, her brother, Wayne Atchley and a brother-in-law, Bill Brockman.

SURVIVORS:

3 SISTERS: Violet Brockman of Tramperos Ranch, New Mexico, DeAnna Richardson of Sedan, New Mexico and Elaine Aschbacher and her husband Leon of Tijeras, New Mexico.

1 SISTER-IN-LAW: Martha Atchley of Amarillo, Texas.

She is also survived by 10 nieces and nephews; Cyndi (Berry) Simpson of Midland, Texas; Cheri (Jon) Goodan of Des Moines, New Mexico; Tanya Priestley of Midland, Texas; Carol (Rex) Wilson of Ancho, New Mexico; Robyne Glover of Amarillo, Texas; Allison (Bob) Tcherneshoff of Bueyeros, New Mexico; Gary (Theresa) Aschbacher of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Bill (Cathy) Brockman of Tramperos, New Mexico; Forrest (Ruth) Brockman of Mills, New Mexico; and Kenny (Brenna) Aschbacher of Phoenix, Arizona.

Teena also had 30 great-nieces and great-nephews.

Other survivors include Ruth Page and a legion of friends.

MEMORIALS: Memorials may be made to AnGel Ministries (Anne Graham Lotz) at AnGelministries.com or 5115 Hollyridge Drive, Raleigh, NC 27612; or to the New Mexico Baptist Children's Home, 2200 South Avenue I, Portales, New Mexico 88130.