Mildred Corder

Obituary Mildred Pauline Smith Corder passed away on March 16, 2020 in Carlsbad New Mexico at the home of her daughter Debbie Surface. She was 95. Millie was born September 29, 1924 in Caddo, Oklahoma, the daughter of Finous Clinton Smith and Edith Drucella Whitton Smith. Her childhood family consisted of two boys and five girls. At the age of nine and orphaned she was sent to the Whitakers Childrens Home in Pryor OK. Paul Grant Corder became her husband on March 31, 1950. Together they were loving parents to five children. For many years the family moved around the country living in a trailer home working in oil and gas exploration. While together they enjoyed fishing, hunting, dancing and swimming. In 1972 with Paul she moved to Carlsbad to never live in another location. She worked for many years as a waitress at the Stevens Inn in Carlsbad where she made many life-long friends. Upon the passing of Paul in 1978 she spent many years of friendship with Roy Frank Cantley and his family consisting of Gary and Janet Cantley of Mesa AZ, Lois Cantley Williamson of Carlsbad. The Cantley family was preceded in death by Franks son Tery of Albuquerque (2009). She was preceded in death by two of her sons, Jerry Lynn Corder (1951) and Dennis Tyler Hall (2017), one son-in law, Tom Surface (2014) and two daughters in law, Wanda Mae Hall (2009) and Corliss Jane Hall (2013). She is survived by her children Louis Clinton Hall of Ponca City OK, Debra Candice Corder Surface of Carlsbad, NM and Ricky Paul & Ille Corder of Carlsbad, NM. Her legacy also consists of nine grandchildren, Fourteen great grandchildren and fifteen great-great grandchildren. A graveside service will take place Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 10:00 a.m., at Sunset Gardens Cemetery in Carlsbad where her remains will be laid to rest with Paul Grant Corder. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mildred Corder, please visit our floral store.