Laurie Elizabeth McKelvy

January 18, 1975 - May 23, 2021

Laurie Elizabeth McKelvy passed away peacefully and immediately entered into the presence of her Lord Jesus Christ on May 23, 2021, Pentecost Sunday. She was 46 years old. Laurie was born in Dallas, TX on January 18, 1975, and lived her entire life in Texas until she met and married her beloved husband, Ian D. McKelvy, whom she married on November 8, 2003 in Abilene, TX. She figured she could make something out of him, and set to work as a devoted wife. They established their family home in Roswell, NM, which quickly became her adopted hometown. They had two children together, daughter and son, Erynn and Reid. Laurie graduated high school from Rule High School, in Rule, TX, where she was a Rule Bobcat. She went on to obtain her B.A. in Psychology from Texas Tech University, in Lubbock, TX. She then obtained a M.S. in Counseling and Development from Texas Woman’s University, in Denton, TX. But for all she learned and accomplished, like the Apostle Paul, she counted everything as loss and worthless compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus as her Lord, and sought Him diligently. She found her calling in being a homemaker and eventually a hard-working homeschool Mom, and, like everything she did, she put her heart and soul into it. She was the heart of the family home, and created an atmosphere of love, warmth and hospitality that was palpable. She strove to make Christ the center of her home and all she did. She spent her free time with her family, but was a very loyal and thoughtful friend to many too. She stayed very busy with her responsibilities, but found time for other things, as well. She worked for a season as secretary at her church fellowship, Calvary Chapel of Roswell. She also volunteered as a counselor for a number of years at the Chaves County Pregnancy Resource Center. Above all else she loved the Lord and had a heart for prayer. For almost 13 years, she organized, compiled and edited her church’s weekly email prayer chain, including an original devotional thought or message that she wrote for each email. She loved and cared for her state and country, and was an active citizen and voice in the political process. No doubt many of you got texts or emails from Laurie in this regard, including many elected officials. She also gave much of her time, gifts and service, as it were, ‘without the right hand knowing what the left hand was doing;’ but, the Lord knows. Laurie was creative and she appreciated and was full of grace and beauty. She often made crafts and thoughtful gifts that many of you have enjoyed. And if you ever gave Laurie a gift or did anything kind for her, you undoubtedly received a very sincere, sweet and eloquent thank you note very soon thereafter. As gracious as she was, Laurie was also tough, and battled an illness and uncertainty over a long period of time that would have wilted the strongest man long before Laurie entered her eternal rest and reward. She showed great courage, perseverance and persistence that always marked her. Laurie is survived by her husband, Ian, and their two children, Erynn and Reid of Roswell, NM. She is also survived by her grandmother, Eloise Newberry of Abilene, TX and her mother, Julie Y. Boger, of Abilene, TX. She was preceded in death by her father, Dr. James A. Boger. She is also survived by numerous other family whom she each loved and prayed for often by name, who know and love Laurie and who know Laurie’s love, whose names do not need to be recited here; these include her beloved brothers, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, parents-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, aunts, uncles, and some not technically kin by law and brothers and sisters in Christ who were often close as kin. A memorial service to celebrate Laurie’s life will be held at Christ’s Church on June 4, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. Pastor Jim Suttle of Calvary Chapel Roswell will officiate. Anderson Bethany Funeral Home is handling arrangements and online tributes. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to CAPE-NM Christian homeschool association, the Chaves County Pregnancy Resource Center, Harvest Ministries of Roswell or Samaritan’s Purse. Not I. but Christ. be honored, loved, and exalted, Not I, but Christ, be seen, be known, be heard, Not I, but Christ, in every look and action, Not but Christ. in every thought and word. Not I, but Christ, to gently soothe in sorrow, Not I, but Christ, to wipe the falling tear; Not l, but Christ. to lift the weary burden, Net but Christ. to hush away all fear. Not, but Christ, no idle word e’er falling. Christ. only Christ. no needless bustling sound; Christ, only Christ; no self—important bearing; Christ, only Christ, no trace of “I” be found. Not I. but Christ, my every need supplying, Not I, but Christ, my strength and health to be; Not but Christ, for body, soul, and spirit, Christ, only Christ, live then Thy life in me. Christ, only Christ, ere long will fill my vision; Glory excelling soon, full soon I’ll see, Christ. only Christ, my every wish fulfilling—— Christ, only Christ. my all in all to be. --A.B. Simpson