Our People: Rodeo queen still in the scene

Wilma Fulgham was born in Farwell and raised within the Clovis area through the depression years. She has been involved in agriculture all her life and comes from a family of hard workers. In 1906, her grandfather, Henry Curtis, came to the Texico area on a covered wagon. Fulgham is recognized for being involved in the western lifestyle. She has worked with the Chamber and Rodeo Pioneer Days committee for many years. Her late husband, Benny Fulgham, was rodeo director for over 20 years. The two were married for a near 63 years before he passed in June 2014. They had four children. She lost a daughter, Patricia, who was a stillbirth, and a son, Garry Fulgham, who died of an aneurysm. She is the director of the High Plains Historical foundation, which deals with preserving the history of the Clovis area and is working towards a museum in Curry County. Fulgham is the president of the Miss Rodeo New Mexico Pageant and co-chair of the Pioneer Days Rodeo Queen Pageant. It all started in 1950 when she won the title for New Mexico State Queen where she represented Curry County. This is where she developed a passion to help other women in rodeo pageantry and she continues to do so today...When you were a kid, what did you think you’d be doing as an adult? I wanted to be a rancher and raise horses and cattle. What’s your idea of a perfect day? To me it’s a day that glorifies God’s creation such as good gentle rains, being with good friends and good people — people who love the Lord...more