Jeanette Smoot

Jeanette Purcella Smoot December 10, 1929 – July 14, 2025

On July 14, 2025, the world lost a loving, courageous and talented cowgirl. Jeanette Purcella Smoot departed this life for a better one, leaving behind a legacy of grit, grace, and deep devotion to her family, faith, and land.

Jeanette was born December 10, 1929, in Roswell, New Mexico, to John Franklin and Nettie Pruit Purcella. Although she was an only child, she was surrounded by many cherished cousins to fill the void. As the daughter of ranchers, Jeanette was not only her mother’s little helper but also her father’s right hand- just as comfortable cooking and gardening with her mother as she was out riding with her father, working horses, sheep, and cattle. She built and mended fences, worked windmills and tended to water, and hunted everything from rabbits and deer to mountain lions and bears. She was fearless, capable, and incredibly hardworking.

Jeanette’s early education took place in one-room schoolhouses across Lincoln and Chaves counties, later graduating from Capitan High School. Of her continuing education, she famously said it was “from the school of hard knocks.” No matter where life took her, Jeanette remained grounded in the values she held dear: stewardship, work ethic, honesty, integrity, loyalty, and commitment.

On July 6, 1947, Jeanette married Tennis “Buster” Smoot. Together they had two daughters, Minette and Sharon. A fun family detail: Jeanette, Minette, and Sharon were all born on a Tuesday at St. Mary’s Hospital in Roswell.

Jeanette was a devoted mother and homemaker until her daughters reached middle school. She loved being involved in their school and social lives. Later, she went to work for the State of New Mexico in Carrizozo. When her daughters left for college, Jeanette and Buster moved to the Purcella Ranch, allowing her parents to retire and move into Roswell.

The ranch- her lifelong passion- was where Jeanette felt most at home, closest to God, fulfilled, and complete. Captivated by the beauty of the location, nature, and livestock, Jeanette felt there was no greater place. The ranch has been in the family for generations, dating back prior to New Mexico achieving statehood. Jeanette took pride in land conservation, making improvements that made life on the ranch more successful and enjoyable.

Home was always the hub for family and friends to gather for any or no occasion. From jam sessions and dancing in the living room while Buster played the drums, to holiday gatherings, Bible studies, and hearty meals after long days of working cattle or hunting.

After 48 years of marriage, Buster passed away in 1995. Jeanette continues to run the ranch independently for many years. At nearly 74, she moved to Roswell and entered a new chapter of life filled with travel, community, and friendship. It was during this time that she met Jack Kratiger, who became her dear friend and fiancé. Together they played and traveled extensively- domestically and abroad- but her favorite destination, other than the ranch, was always Alaska.

Beyond ranching and travel, Jeanette had many interests. She loved to dance, paint, woodwork, gardening, and craft. She believed in the community and was actively involved in the church and agriculture organizations, including Lincoln County Fair (as both volunteer and competitor), Corriente Cowbells, New Mexico Cattle Growers, Extension Club, PTA, Rebecca Lodge, Red Hats, First Methodist Church or Carrizozo, Grace Community Church of Roswell.

Jeanette was deeply respected and dearly loved by many. Her daughters and sons-in-law admired her as both mother and “the boss”. As a grandmother- “Gram’- she was unmatched: the ringleader of all things fun and wild. She taught her grandchildren to ride horses and four- wheelers (at full throttle), swim in the rock tank, snow sled on old car hoods, camp under the stars, build forts, zip line into the creek… With every adventure came a chore list a mile long- lessons in responsibly and perseverance that her grandchildren will carry with them forever.

“Well done, good and faithful servant!” Mathew 25:23

Jeanette was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 48 years, Tennis “Buster” Smoot. She is survived by:

Minette (Preston) Harper, or Silver City, New Mexico, their children Tyrel (Clarissa) Harper and their children Graylin and Kinley of Silver City, New Mexico. Tarra (Cody) Teel or Amarillo, Texas. Sharon (Billy) Bird or their Lincoln County Ranch, their children Tennise Lucas of Belen, New Mexico and her children Echo Fenner (Carlos Dionico, Jr.) of Chula Vista, California and Tristan (Reina Heiss) of Los Angeles, California. Warren Letchworth (Gherarda Castill0o) of Lemitar, New Mexico. Amanda (Dustin) Whaley and their children Carson and Rayna of Ruidoso, New Mexico.

Jeanette also leaves behind a large extended family of beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends whose lives she touched deeply.

In celebration of Jeanette’s life and legacy, a service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Grace Community Church in Roswell, New Mexico, followed by the casting service held mountain side, on the Purcella Ranch, Lincoln County, New Mexico.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity or organization.