Lucille Bays

Lucille (Lucy) Mae Bays 91, of Farmington, NM passed peacefully away with family by her side in Albuquerque, NM on September 12, 2023. Lucy was born at home in Oshkosh, NE to Roy William Shaw and Georgia Francis Shindle Shaw on November 19, 1931.

Lucy grew up in Oshkosh, NE, the daughter of Nebraska farmers. She went to Penn School and later Garden County High School.

In 1947 Lucy met a young man from Midwest, WY; Jiles Bays. After a short courtship the two were married on September 1, 1948 in Oshkosh. The couple lived in Oshkosh and Casper, WY before moving with their young daughter to Farmington, NM in 1958.

Lucy was first and foremost a homemaker who excelled at baking, sewing and canning. Showcasing her farming roots, Lucy was an avid gardener growing a variety of vegetables as well as beautiful iris and roses. Lucy enjoyed teaching others the art of sewing and crochet. Several of her crocheted doilies won ribbons at the NM State Fair. Lucy loved to dance; even though Jiles, the love of her life, had two left feet. Lucy was truly a ‘crazy’ cat lady providing a home to many cats over the years who were fortunate enough to be adopted by her!

Lucy was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Georgia Shaw, her husband of 40 years, Jiles, her sister Jessie Mitchell and her brother Roy (Sonny) Shaw.

Lucy is survived by her daughter Barbara Bays (Terry Ernest), grandson Anthony Ernest (Jordain), sisters Doris Terwilliger and Phyllis Wolfe, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews and her best friend Lisa Meers.

Visitation will be held at 12:30 on September 20 at Farmington Funeral Home, 2111 W. Apache Street followed by funeral services at 1:30. Burial will immediately follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.