Obituary of Lynda Marie McGinnes

After a nine-month bout of illness, Lynda Marie McGinnes went to join her Creator's Angelic Choir. She died on January 31, 2023 at 2:29 a.m. at Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital in Plano, TX. She was the first of four children born to Elton Archie and Mary Elva (Ditmore) McGinnes on July 17, 1944 in Denton, TX. Lynda attended grades 1 through 12 at Eldorado Public Schools. She received her Bachelor of Music from North Texas State College in Denton, TX. Later, Lynda earned her Masters degree from Eastern University in Portales, NM. In 1966 Lynda was hired by Lovington Public Schools to teach music at Jefferson and Yarbro Elementary schools. Working for the Lovington schools for 33 years, Lynda taught music at every grade level. She taught high school English and was also a counselor for LPS. Retiring from the school system, she led a team of educators who worked for WESTAT and tested students in Lea, Eddy and Chaves counties to collect scores on a national level. She served several terms on the Lovington School Board of Education, as well as serving president of the board. She was an avid Dallas Cowboy fan, loved to read and cook, supported the Lovington Wildcats and loved puzzles and games of all kinds. Lynda put God first in her life, followed closely by her passion for music and her love of children. She sang in the Methodist Choir, led the Children's Methodist Choir, played with the Methodist Jubilate Bell Choir and later directed it. She served on many church committees. She also sang in the Community Choir. She was preceded in death by her parents Elton and Mary; brothers Robbie and James "Jimmy". Those left to cherish her memory is her brother, Garland Wayne McGinnes and his wife Cindy of Eldorado, TX; her nephew, Eric McGinnes and his children Judson, Emily, and Easton; a niece, Whitney Brown, her husband West and daughters, Chloe and Madison of Lubbock, TX; two "sisters by choice", Dixie Drummond and Carol Streber of Lovington, NM; "son by choice", Pilar Carrasco, his wife, Diana and sons Justin and Xai of Roswell, NM; "niece by choice", Tonia (Brewer) Hardtke, her husband, Wade and children Cole, Cade and Callie of Lombard, IL; and cousins Kristi Croy, Larry McGinnes, Billy Frank Low, Mike Ditmore and Ray Ditmore. Visitation will be Friday, February 10th from 1:00 to 2:00 for the family and 2:00 to 4:00 for friends and neighbors. Funeral services for Lynda will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 10:00 am at the First United Methodist Church in Lovington with Pastor Robert Gasman officiating. Graveside service for the family will follow at Lovington Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Kirby-Ratliff Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Lovington Methodist Women, or the Baptist Children's Home in Portales, NM, or the First United Methodist Church in Lovington, NM. Condolences may be sent to www.kirbysmithrogers.com.