Elbert Ray Farmer, 85, of Ponca City, Okla., formerly of Hobbs, died Oct. 9, 2006 in the home of his daughter, Marsha Rae Nichols in Ponca City. Funeral services were Friday, Oct 13, 2006 at Prairie Haven Memorial Park Chapel with Dr. Dean Mathis officiating. Farmer will be buried next to his wife, Mildred Bernice Linzy Farmer.

Farmer was born on Feb. 5, 1921 in Piggott to Otis Lair and Amanda Elizabeth Litherland Farmer. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at age twelve. He married Mildred Bernice Linzy on Nov. 17, 1945, in Palmyra, Ark. He and his family moved to Lovington, N.Mex., in 1954 where he worked for Atlantic Refining Company. In 1969, he was hired as the first supervisor of maintenance and grounds for in newly opened New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs. After 13 years with NMJC he worked for the City of Hobbs where he retired in 1986. Farmer served as a Merchant Marine from 1943 -- 1946.

Throughout his life, Farmer worked as a carpenter, plumber, woodworker, baker, electrician, supervisor and hardware store salesman. He was well known for his deep bass singing voice as he led music in churches and revival meetings around Lea County and surrounding areas. Farmer was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred, his children, Janella Faye, Terry Reid and Diane Ray, his parents, his brother, Raymond Gene Farmer and three sisters, Alma Louise, Bessie Claudine and Vera Pearl.

Survivors include his two daughters, Linda Ann Harris and her husband, Jerry of Austin and Marsha Rae Nichols and her husband, Joe of Ponca City, son, Jonathan Eugene Farmer and his wife, Vi of Laurel, Md., four grandchildren, Amanda Harris, Wendy Haggerton and her husband, Ron, Kalee Nichols and Rebecca Farmer, three great granddaughters, Linzy Rae Epperson, Cassandra Rose Leavitt and Stephanie Michelle Haggerton, brother, Paul Leland Farmer of Piggott, sister, Mary Francis Meldrum and her husband, Ray of Carrollton, Ohio, sister-in-law, Mrs. Gene (Darlene) Farmer of Irving, Tex. as well as beloved nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, Inc., 1904 N. Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601.