Teresa Ham

Teresa Ham passed away following a brief non-COVID-related illness on April 2, 2021.  Teresa was born in Savannah, Georgia on October 20, 1943 to Pickney and Velma Newman.  She graduated from Toccoa High School in 1961 and went on to receive her nursing degree. She worked at Georgia Baptist Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia until 1966.  In 1990 she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from New Mexico State University.

Teresa moved to Alamogordo in 1972 with her husband and two children.  In 1976 she helped to establish Alamogordo’s first ophthalmic practice, Alamogordo Eye Clinic (currently Fillmore Eye Clinic) where she worked as the practice manager, RN during surgeries and ophthalmic assistant.  She also worked for several years in the Intensive Care Unit of Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center.

In 1988 Margaret Flickinger acquired the old Sierra Theater and together she and Teresa created the Flickinger Center for Performing Arts.  During the initial campaign in 1991, Teresa worked tirelessly to raise funds for the Center, and she was also instrumental in acquiring the adjacent building now known as Patron’s Hall.  

Teresa served on the Habitat for Humanity board from 2005 to 2007.  She was a board member of the Rotary Club and was actively involved with the Rotary Mexico Medical/Dental Mission from 1978 to 1989.  For her service to that mission, she received the Rotary Club’s prestigious Paul Harris Fellow award. Teresa was a member of the 100 Women Who Care Alamogordo.  She served as a board member of C.O.P.E. and was the producer for their annual fundraiser for many years. She was an active member of P.E.O., Chapter BI.  Teresa hosted many women’s bible studies at her home in Tularosa.  She received the Service to Mankind Award, the highest award given to a non-Sertoman; the Woman of Merit Award in 2010 and in 2018 was Alamogordo’s Citizen of the Year.  

Teresa is survived by her husband Leon Ham, brothers, Phillip Newman and Kenny Newman, daughter Joni Ham Castello, son Roger Ham, foster daughter Olivia Chavez Aguirre, stepsons Remick Ham and Michael Ham, stepdaughter Nicky Ham Bowen, 20 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

Teresa was an integral part of the fabric of the Alamogordo community and will be greatly missed.

The Ham family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home. Services will be announced at a later date.
 
Should you wish, a contribution can be made to the Flickinger Center for the Performing Arts in Teresa’s name.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Teresa Ham, please visit our floral store.