Wanda Jean (Riley) Pettus, Longtime Portales Resident, Dies at 88

Pettus was an active community member and devoted her life to improving Portales.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:48am

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A dreamy, impressionistic photograph in soft, hazy tones depicting the blurred silhouettes of people walking down a small-town main street, with the faint glow of storefront windows in the background, capturing the nostalgic and communal spirit of Portales.The vibrant community spirit that Wanda Pettus embodied for decades lives on in the warm, welcoming atmosphere of Portales.Portales Today

Wanda Jean (Riley) Pettus, a lifelong resident of Portales, New Mexico, passed away on March 30, 2026 at the age of 88. Pettus was a dedicated community member, serving in various civic organizations and working for over 30 years as the Advertising Manager of the Portales News Tribune. She was also an active member of the First United Methodist Church and enjoyed square dancing with her late husband, James Pettus.

Why it matters

Wanda Pettus' passing marks the end of an era in Portales, as she was a pillar of the community who spent decades working to improve the city and support local businesses. Her involvement in civic organizations and her long career at the local newspaper highlight her commitment to the Portales community.

The details

Pettus was born on January 11, 1938 in Fort Sumner, New Mexico to Fred and Muriel (Hawkins) Riley. She attended Eastern New Mexico University and worked as the Advertising Manager at the Portales News Tribune for over 30 years, where she encouraged the community to shop locally. After retiring from the newspaper, she continued to work part-time for the Clovis Livestock paper and other publications. Pettus was also an active member of several civic organizations, including Altrusa, Portales Women's Club, Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce, KENW, and the United Methodist Women.

  • Wanda Pettus passed away on March 30, 2026.
  • Her funeral services will be held on April 6, 2026 at 10:00 AM at the First United Methodist Church in Portales.

The players

Wanda Jean (Riley) Pettus

A lifelong resident of Portales, New Mexico who was an active member of the community, serving in various civic organizations and working for over 30 years as the Advertising Manager of the Portales News Tribune.

James Pettus

Wanda Pettus' husband of 32 years, with whom she enjoyed square dancing. They were inducted into the Square Dance Hall of Fame.

Fred and Muriel (Hawkins) Riley

Wanda Pettus' parents.

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What’s next

The family will receive guests at the funeral home on Saturday evening from 6-8 PM prior to the funeral service on Monday.

The takeaway

Wanda Pettus' lifelong dedication to improving her community and supporting local businesses in Portales made her an integral part of the city's history. Her passing marks the end of an era, but her legacy of civic engagement and community service will continue to inspire others in Portales.