Born January 10, 1923, in Alma, Arkansas, Fleta Lucille Owens Crockett made her debut as the third child of Harry and Lilly Owens. “Mother Fleta” as she is affectionately known, grew up in a family of five children, three boys and two girls. Her oldest brother, William Owens, lives in Carlsbad, NM, and her middle brother, Tommy Owens, lives in Fort Smith, AR. The youngest brother, Truman Owens and her baby sister, Mary Alice Hunter, are both deceased.
For her 85th birthday, Mother Fleta was given a surprise birthday party by her daughter Maxine and her son-in-law Craig, in her residence at a senior assistant living quarters. “I was truly surprised and it was a great day to have family and friends around me on that day. I got to see my great grandsons and my grandchildren, that was really special," shared Mother Fleta.
Mother Fleta takes special pride in family and family gatherings. “It's a good thing for families to enjoy each other. That is all that I want from my family, is that they love each other and be together. My mom and dad never got to see us grow up and have children and grandchildren to celebrate their legacy, because they died, so young. I just feel that I'm celebrating family for them through the celebrations of my family."
Mother Fleta was eight when her father died, as she was 16 when her mother passed but felt that in the short time that they had together, she was provided some unforgettable memories. “One of the things that I could pass on that my mother taught me at an early age is to cook. I thoroughly enjoyed the hours spent alone with my mother while preparing meals. My siblings also learned to cook. My two older brothers learned to cook while serving in the army.” Mother Fleta and her brother, Tommy, would ultimately take advantage of their skills and chose food service as careers.
At the passing of their father, older brother, William became the man of the family and at the age of 13 dropped out of school and began working at the WHP to supplement the family's income needs. And when her mother died, William became father, mother, brother and bread winner for the family, an accomplishment that meant a lot to Mother Fleta. "It was because of William's unselfish sacrifices that we were able to keep the family together when my parents died. I have always, and will always be grateful for his incredible love.” William will be 89 this summer.
Mother Fleta's love for baking was developed when she went to work for Mary Pudding Hill Bakery in Texas. The bakery specialized in fruitcakes, a favorite of many throughout the southern states. She took special requests for baked items from her family and friends and became known throughout the community for her baking skills. Mother Fleta's confections were the finest. She no longer bakes, but she remembers the joy of it.
Mother Fleta has one daughter, Fleta Maxine Jones, and she has two grandchildren and three great grandsons. Albuquerque became her home in 1998 after the death of her husband, Robert Crockett, in Las Vegas, Nevada. She and her sister, Mary Alice Hunter, moved from Las Vegas to Albuquerque to be near her daughter and son-in-law.
Bingo and working puzzles are favorite pastimes these days, however, an occasional trip to the casino and the nickel machines should not be ruled out. In her youth, softball was her passion. She played the game well, and she played to win. She was a team player and team captain.
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