Zoe Ann Milner

Zoe Ann Milner

June 26, 1936 – March 26, 2026

Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, April 2, 11:00 a.m., at LaGrone Funeral Chapel in Roswell, NM, for Zoe Ann Milner, who passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones on March 26, 2026. Robert Holcomb of First Baptist Church will officiate.

Zoe Ann was born in Troup, Texas, to Hank and Zoe Allred. She grew up in Carlsbad, New Mexico, with her sister, Patty Allred Smith, and brother, Don “Donnie” Allred. She graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1954, before attending Eastern New Mexico University in Portales from 1954-1957.

Zoe Ann met the love of her life, Francis Wayne Milner, while attending ENMU and they were married in Roswell’s First Baptist Church on August 30, 1958. Following Wayne’s graduation from Texas A&M University and his active duty with the Army, they moved to Dallas, Texas for several years before relocating to their home base in Roswell. They were married for 54 years and raised four children together.

Zoe Ann’s faith in Christ was the cornerstone of her life, and she faithfully attended and served at First Baptist Church, Roswell, for over 60 years. While at First Baptist, she served as the director of the Adult 3 Department, was a member of the church Historical Committee, and an active member of the church choir and handbells. Zoe Ann was renowned as an eloquent public speaker and storyteller, and was a long time member of the Roswell Story League, serving as that group’s President and as Director of El Sombrero Junior Story League. She told stories at numerous venues throughout Roswell for more than 30 years, and her Christmas stories became a beloved tradition for many. Zoe Ann held numerous positions in Roswell’s Assistance League, including vice president, member and talent chairman of “Frolics,” and editor of the monthly league publication, “Lines on the League” (1976-1980). She was a published writer, featured in the Roswell Daily Record and Christian Single (1988) magazine, the Public Relations Chairman for Roswell High’s 1991 “Project Celebration”, and member of the Board of Working Mothers’ Day Nursery.

Zoe Ann truly loved music and was a gifted mezzo-soprano soloist throughout high school, college, and her adult life. She was featured in many high school and college plays and was selected to the ENMU University Choir. As an adult, she performed countless times, ranging from solos in First Baptist’s ‘Living Christmas Tree,’ church events, and various community functions. Zoe Ann was also the accompanist for El Capitan grade school and First Baptist Church (Portales) Youth Week activities. With her love for music, she attended many concerts of her favorite artists, which covered an eclectic group including Luciano Pavarotti, Josh Groban, Michael Martin Murphey, and Jimmy Buffett.

Zoe Ann and Wayne loved to travel both in the United States and abroad. They traveled all over America and visited many European countries on different occasions, touring England, France, Italy, Greece, the Scandinavian countries, and Russia before the fall of the Iron Curtain. In Russia, they were able to visit a Baptist church in Moscow, and Zoe Ann gave more than 30 talks about her impressions of the Russian church to civic organizations and church groups across southeastern New Mexico when she returned. Through her love of travel and storytelling, she found opportunities to witness to others about her faith and her love for Jesus.

Zoe Ann and Wayne built their dream “retirement” home in Red River, New Mexico, in 1987. Their cabin in the mountains of Red River turned out to be a place where their family, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have made precious memories and continue to make more.

Zoe Ann is survived by her daughter Melissa Proctor and her husband, Mark of Lubbock, TX; daughter Pam Schultz and her husband, Jim of Roswell; son Steven Milner of Albuquerque, and nephew Mark Ribbach of Utah. She was lovingly called “Zannie” by her four surviving grandchildren, Kristen Downs and husband, Josh of Roswell; Michela Heth and her husband, Ryan of Lubbock; Rebecca Schultz Hong and her husband, Chan of Albuquerque; Madison Proctor of Berlin, Germany; step-grandchildren Caryn Snow, Michael Schultz and Sashua Butters and numerous great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hank and Zoe Allred, her husband Wayne, and her oldest son, Chris.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Roswell or First Baptist Church of Red River, New Mexico.