Zepha E. Guinn (formerly Painter, née Gum), passed away at the age of 92, following a long, lively life filled with laughter, happiness, hardships, and love. 

Originally hailing from Tamalco, Illinois, she was the youngest of eight. She married Robert I. Painter and had two children, Sharlyn and Robin, while moving around the country following Robert’s work in the aerospace industry. These homesteads included stops in Texas, California, and Washington state, where their third child Christopher was born.

When the family moved to Alamogordo, New Mexico in 1970, Zepha first ran a broasted chicken restaurant, then for many years owned and managed the TraveLodge motel, later renamed The All-American Inn (now the EconoLodge). The family has many favorite stories of short-statured Zepha standing her ground against much taller trespassers. After selling the motel, she worked at Walmart, where her friendly face was a customer favorite.

Following Zepha and Robert’s divorce in the 1980s, she met and later married David E. Guinn. They would make frequent trips together to the Inn of the Mountain Gods casino, and their ashes are interred together in the forest near Ruidoso, alongside a creek frequented by wild horses. The interment was attended by Zepha’s children, Sharlyn, Robin (with spouse Phil), and Christopher (with spouse Alysia); grandchildren, Melissa and Matthew (with spouse Emily); great grandchildren, Amelia, Bryce, Mason, and Dorrian. It was a lovely moment capping a lovely life.

If you ever sing while doing your chores, are kind to someone who needs your help, or laugh at the confounding mysteries of the universe, you are honoring Zepha’s memory.

The Painter/Guinn family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home.