Nancy Metcalf

May 29, 1932 – October 24, 2026

A celebration of Nancy Metcalf’s life will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at New Covenant Fellowship Church of God, 1601 W. McGaffey Street, Roswell, New Mexico.

Nancy Metcalf, 94, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 24, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas, surrounded by her family.

Nancy was born on May 29, 1932, in Lake Arthur, New Mexico, to Thomas Ridgway and Gladys Bivens Ridgway. As a child, she picked cotton, beginning a lifelong example of hard work, perseverance, and devotion to her family.

On June 5, 1949, Nancy married John C. “Junior” Metcalf. Together, they raised five children: Forest Metcalf; twins Bonnie Talbott and Connie Berry; and twins Terrie Billmaier and Jerry Metcalf.

Nancy and Junior raised their family 14 miles east of Roswell on the Metcalf family homestead. Life on the homestead was filled with hard work, faith, and love. Nancy helped raise calves, tend the cattle, and care for the farm while Junior was away doing construction work. She never had a dull moment with five children to keep busy and “outside”. She kept them occupied with gardening, canning, and caring for the cows, newborn calves, pigs, chickens, and horses. She sewed her daughters’ dresses for school and took the children into town every Saturday to do laundry, buy groceries, and have lunch with both sets of grandparents.

Nancy worked at Levi Strauss and Furr’s Cafeteria, where her strong work ethic and caring nature were evident to those around her.

Nancy faithfully took her family to Shady Grove Baptist Church, the small country church they attended every Sunday and Wednesday evening. She had a lovely singing voice. Mom was a wonderful cook and was known for her red chili.

Among Nancy’s greatest joys were fishing, traveling, water aerobics, visiting with family and friends, and eating out. She also had a special gift for caregiving, faithfully tending to her parents, relatives, and friends whenever they needed her. That compassionate spirit became part of her legacy and lives on in her children.

Nancy and Junior shared 57 years of marriage before his passing. She is survived by her five children and spouses, Forest Metcalf (Nelda), Bonnie Talbott (Kim), Connie Berry (Dale), Terrie Billmaier (Dave), and Jerry Metcalf (Lenore); 14 grandchildren and spouses; 45 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great grandchildren; and her sister, Joyce Berdine (Jim) of Albuquerque. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Nancy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John C. “Junior” Metcalf; her parents, Thomas and Gladys Ridgway; her grandsons, Damon Talbott, William John Martin, Edgar Guerrero, and Caden James Perry; two grandchildren who passed before birth; and her four brothers, Tommy Ridgway, Roy Ridgway, Curley Ridgway, and Forest Ridgway.