Annie Jean “A.J.” Strain October 29, 2026

There will be an informal gathering of family and friends to honor the life of Annie Jean “A J” Strain, 88, of Portales at 10:00 AM, Mon., Nov. 9, 2026 in the Elida Cemetery.

Mrs Strain was born January 24, 1938, in Portales to the home of Ruby (Taylor) and Shelby Eugene Miller, and passed from this life at her home on October 29, 2026.  Her father died when she was just a small child, and her mother later married Ray Mullins who became her “Dad.”  She grew up in the Rogers community where she attended all twelve years of school, graduating from Rogers High School in 1956.

In June of 1957, she was married to Terry Varnell.  The couple had three children together before later divorcing.  On July 12, 1976, in Juarez, Mexico, she was married to the love of her life, Chuck Strain.  They enjoyed almost 50 years of marriage before his death.

For many years, A J worked in the billing department for the Roosevelt County Electric Coop.  She retired in the early 2000’s.  She and Chuck enjoyed golfing and horse racing in their more active years.  In more recent times she spent a lot of time at home.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Judy Varnell of Lubbock; two daughters, Rae Etta and Mario Zuniga of Los Lunas, NM and Connie Ferguson of Yukon, OK; seven grandchildren, Terri Lynn Zuniga and her companion, Adam, Marcus Allen Zuniga, Tina and Joe Carillo, Cody Dale and Ashley Varnell, Amber Dawn and Bryan McNerney, Chase Varnell and Tori and Jacob Swenson; six great-grandchildren, Kaia Carillo, Saylor, Brocton and Bowen Varnell, Ayla Swenson and Autrey Swenson; a brother, Tommy Ray Mullins and his wife, Earletta of Davenport, Iowa; and a number of nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Jessie David Mullins, a son-in-law, Mike Ferguson, and by Chuck who died March 20, 2026.

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