85° and Sunny
August 12, 1925 - September 27, 2025
Lola was born into a pioneer ranching family led by Ginevra and Dick Gililland. The family had a number of ranches on the western slopes of the Salinas Peak in the San Andres Mountains, comprising 50 sections or 32,000 acres of land. The ranches were later taken by the government to form the White Sands Missile Range. Dick’s ranch headquarters was approximately 23 miles south of where the first atomic bomb was tested.
Lola went to school “out on the range” until she was 13, moving then to Tularosa and living with various families while attending school in the old red brick schoolhouse which still stands. Though a shy, timid girl, after graduation, she started working at the Alamogordo Army Airfield (Holloman AFB) as secretary to the post engineer architect.
After the war, Lola married Hansel Tucker whose brother, Roy was also a rancher. Together with Hansel’s brother, Tom Tucker and his wife Marjorie, the family owned The New Market grocery store in Alamogordo. After retiring from the grocery business in 1972, Lola became well-known for her expert making of beautiful wedding cakes. Finally, after one more career move, she worked at Loco Credit union where she served as the loan officer for many years. That shy, timid girl excelled in all these occupations. In their retirement years Hansel and Lola enjoyed grand kids, church, traveling, golf and playing cards with friends and family.
After Hansel’s death in 2006, church, Thursday family breakfast, Saturday night dinner with her nephew, G.L Tucker and his sisters Cloma Jane and Ginevra, and recounting remembered stories of ranch life and friends she came to know - all this filled her days.
They say, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Be assured, it takes the same village to care for a family member who reaches 100 years of life. There is no way to thank or to name all the friends and relatives who helped Lola in her final years - but special thanks has to go to G.L., Cloma Jane, Ginevra, Kathy, Ila Beth, Leann, Patsy Rose, Marge, Debbie, Pat and Susie, and many more.
Lola is survived by her brother, Jess Gililland, children, Alan (Marie), Billy (Susie), Karen (Pat) and by 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, you are invited to make a memorial contribution to the New Mexico Baptist Children’s Home in Portales, NM.
The Tucker family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Scenic Chapel to direct the services.
