Janell’s grandparents, Mr. And Mrs. W.M. Pack in the year 1906, traveled from Chickasha Oklahoma in covered wagons to homestead in New Mexico. They took their five children Lena, John, Jim, Pete, and Tince Howard with them on this long and difficult journey. The land was dry where they settled. Water had to be hauled a great distance to their campsite. Food was also scarce. Mr. Pack was afraid of losing his horses, so they loaded up the kids and went back to Oklahoma.
Five more children were born to this union. Lucille, Stoney, Dorothy, Bessie, and George. In 1930 W.M. Pack, left behind his five eldest children, and headed back to New Mexico with the five youngest. He settled down with his wife and five kids on a farm west of Portales.
In 1934, Janell’s Father, Tince Howard, joined his mother and dad in Portales. He traveled with his wife Lula Mae (Ikard) Pack and their three children, Howard, Janell, and Joy. Tince set up an automotive shop there.
In 1936, Tince moved to Melrose with his family. Three more children were born. Dona, Leroy, and Jerry. All "Six Pack" kids grew up and graduated from Melrose schools. All three sons served in United States Army.
Their eldest son Howard, married a local girl, Ginger Rogers in1954. They raised four Kids in Roswell NM. Jana, Sharon, Kayla, and Jay.
Their second daughter Janell, married a Melrose boy, Lonnie McDaniel in 1948. Their wedding ceremony took place (same day) right after Janell's High School Graduation. May 6, 1948. They raised three children Yolanda, Donnie, and Kathy in Clovis.
The third daughter Joy, married Taylor Benton of Abilene Texas. in 1952. They raised three children in Abilene Texas. Daryl, Monty, and Brenda.
Daughter number four, Dona, married Raymond Adkins of Clovis NM in 1956. They raised two children in Clovis. Lance, and Sherry.
Leroy, the fifth son, married Wanda Cole in 1965. They had three children. Jerry, Kristy, and Misty. They lived in Clovis and Shallowater Texas.
The sixth son Jerry, married Sami Jo Valliant. They raised their son, John David, in Amarillo Texas.
After serving in World War II, Stoney, (W.M.’s sixth son), married Margie Clark and moved to Melrose New Mexico. They settled on a farm north of Melrose. They had two children Karen and Johnny. Karen married Dan Britten of Melrose. They made their home in Albuquerque NM. Johnny who served in the US Army lives in Socorro NM with his wife Mary.
In 1939 W.M. moved with his wife to Melrose and lived until their death. (W.M.) died in 1965 at age 93. His wife passed in 1967 at the age of 87. They are both buried in the Melrose Cemetery beside their son George who was killed in a car accident in 1965 in California.
