Twyla Wade

Twyla Biggers Wade, age 79 of Melrose, New Mexico, went to be with the Lord on August 3, 2018 in Wolfforth, Texas. Twyla was born on February 10, 1939 in Clovis, New Mexico. As a young child, she and her parents, Kathryn and Clifford Biggers, lived in Lubbock, TX. They later moved to Clovis where she attended the Clovis schools until 1952 when the family moved to Melrose. Twyla attended the Melrose Schools until her graduation in 1957. She married Kenneth Wade in 1957, and they had three children, Valerie, Mark, and Michele.

Twyla graduated from Eastern New Mexico University, Magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education, and later earned her Master's degree. She became an integral part of the Melrose music community. For many years, she taught music to Melrose elementary students and band and choir to the high school students. She also had many private piano students and was the church pianist at the Methodist church until recent years and also organized Melrose community musical events. Twyla also loved history and taught it at Melrose High School. She taught Sunday school teacher for many years as well. God gifted her with musical talents at an early age and she graciously and unselfishly shared her passion for music with so many throughout her lifetime.

She was a longtime member of New Mexico Music Educators Association, Melrose Chamber of Commerce, and the Melrose Rotary Club. Twyla was inducted into the New Mexico Music Teacher Hall of Fame, and in 2016 into the Melrose Teachers Hall of Honor.

Twyla is survived by daughters Valerie Wade of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; Michele Dansby and her husband John of Lubbock, TX; her mother Kathryn Biggers of Levelland, Texas (formerly of Melrose), sister Darla McGregor and her husband Roland of Portales, New Mexico, brother Randy Biggers and his wife Dianne of Levelland, Texas, uncle Allen Sparks and his wife Nancy of Ft. Sumner, New Mexico, and uncle Carl Sparks of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is also survived by 7 grandchildren: Jaclyn (Brian) Roberts, Tiffany (Kyle) Linker, Leah (Trenton) Gary, Rachael (Joel) Olufowote, Jonathan (Haley) Dansby, Joshua Dansby, and Caleb Dansby and 8 great-grandchildren - Cael, Caedmon, Cace, and Anna Gary; Jethro and Mercy Dansby; Addison and Brady Roberts. Surviving nieces and family include Melanie (Nathan) Winkle and children Meagan and Matthew, and Stephanie (Jason) Sullivan and children Grayson and Brooklyn, and Mindi (Brent) Smithson and children Chase and Savannah. She was preceded in death by her son Mark Wade, her father Clifford Biggers, former husband Kenneth Wade, uncle Harlan Sparks, and nephew Brent Smithson.

Services will be held at the Old High School Gym in Melrose, New Mexico at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, with graveside services immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may sent be to the Southwest Parkinson's Society or the Jingle Bell Benevolence Fund at the Melrose Methodist Church.

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