- Date Of Birth: July 21, 1923
- Date Of Death: March 4, 2017
- State: New Mexico
The Life of Emilie “Emmy” Kyger Fulfer
Emilie (Emmy) Kyger Fulfer was born on a warm summer day on Saturday, July 21, 1923 in Daly, Colorado. She was the youngest of five children and was raised on the family farm in Haxtun, Colorado. At the age of 12, Emilie and her family moved to Denver, Colorado. Emilie graduated in 1941 from South High School. In 1943 at the age of 20, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy (WAVES) and was sent to the Bronx in New York for boot camp then on to Stillwater, Oklahoma to complete her training. She was stationed in Washington, D.C. where she encoded and decoded secret messages as a Cryptographer for the U.S. Department of Defense. Emilie was also a drummer with the Navy Band and fondly remembers marching in the parades while in Washington. When Emilie and her friends were not on duty, they enjoyed taking in the sights. One of her most memorable moments was tea in the White House with first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Emilie had the distinction of receiving the message via teletype that World War II had ended. Following her discharge from the Navy, she attended Denver University on the G.I. Bill.
Emilie met her future husband Elmer Lee Davis at a Cozy Dog stand in Estes Park, Colorado. They were married in Denver, Colorado and were blessed with two children Randy and Kimberly. When Lee accepted a music teaching position, the family relocated to Artesia, New Mexico. There, Emilie was employed by Yates Petroleum for several years. She was transferred to Roswell, New Mexico where she continued her career in the oil and gas industry with Hansen Oil. In later years, Emilie was Senator Pete Domenici’s first secretary in the Roswell office.
Emilie met her second husband C.W. (Tess) Fulfer in Roswell while working for Thiokol Chemical Company. They later moved to Lubbock, Texas where she and Tess worked for Texas Tech University. While at Tech, Emilie worked in several departments on the campus. Two of her favorite positions were in the Athletic Department and the Department of Agriculture where she worked for her beloved boss Dr. Albin. Emilie and Tess attended many Red Raider games and were members of the Elks Lodge where they enjoyed dances and lodge activities. Following her retirement from Tech and the death of her husband Tess, Emilie returned to Roswell to be near her daughter and family.
While living in Roswell, Emilie was a member of Desk & Derrick, Senior Circle, Singing Seniors, B.RO.E. Does, and First Presbyterian Church. Emilie enjoyed singing her New Mexico Song, bowling, golf, gardening, cooking, and playing dominoes with her dear friend Henry Anglin. Throughout the years, Emilie attended veteran activities where she was often recognized as one of the oldest World War II veterans.
Emilie’s immediate family members include her son Randy Davis and wife Teresa of Napa, California, daughter Kimberly Osborn and husband William of Roswell, New Mexico, grandson Randy Lee Davis of Omaha, Nebraska, grandson Matthew Davis of Napa, California, and granddaughter Kelsey Naylor of Roswell, New Mexico. Emilie was preceded in death by spouses Lee Davis, Tess Fulfer, parents Ira and Pearl Kyger, three brothers Kenneth, Leonard, Gerald Kyger and one sister, Virginia Boggess.
The family wishes to thank Pat and Harry McGraw for their many years of friendship, Comfort Keepers, Gentiva Hospice and the “honey bees” from Bee Hive Homes for their compassionate care of our beloved friend, mother and grandmother.
Emilie taught us about life with humor and grace. She loved God, her family, her country and treasured her friends. She entered her heavenly home on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the age of 93. Rest in peace Mom!
