Wyveta Mae (Powell) LeRoy

August 1, 1915 – April 5, 2012

Wyveta Powell LeRoy, 96, of Socorro, NM, passed away on April 5, 2012, at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Socorro.

Wyveta was born in Alfalfa County, OK, on August 1, 1915, to Atlas C. and Nora Altha Clark Powell.

Wyveta graduated from high school in Perry, OK, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Oklahoma in Norman. She completed a Master’s degree in Geology at Smith College in Northampton, MA. She continued her graduate studies at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA, where she met her future husband, Tom, who was also in the graduate program in geology.

They spent the early years of their marriage moving between Louisiana and Texas before finally settling in New Orleans, where they remained until Tom retired. The couple then moved to Socorro in the mid-1970s.

Both Wyveta and Tom quickly became involved in the Socorro community. Wyveta was a member of the Garden Club, the Art League and the American Association of University Women, among other organizations. She was an active participant in the early days of AAUW’s scholarship fundraising efforts.

In her leisure time, she enjoyed crossword puzzles, swimming at the New Mexico Tech pool and for many years was a regular at the Sunday evening folk dancing gatherings in the Tech gym.

While still in New Orleans, Wyveta began taking art classes at Newcomb College, concentrating on painting and watercolor. After moving to Socorro, she continued to pursue her interest in art, particularly watercolor. Over the years, her work was shown in a variety of venues in Socorro and regularly won prizes at the Socorro County Fair.

Wyveta is survived by her son, Richard, of Socorro and her daughter, Catherine, of Rockland, Maine. Inurnment will take place in Duncan, Oklahoma. If friends wish, memorial donations can be made to the Socorro Branch of the American Association of University Women, c/o Kathleen Le Febre, Socorro Branch Financial Officer, 1131 North Drive, Socorro, NM.