Beverly Nelson and Kim Allen seemed like an unlikely match. She grew up in the Deep South in Birmingham, Alabama; he was born in Artesia, New Mexico and raised in Arizona. Beverly was a former corrections officer turned HR recruiting manager; Kim was an agricultural journalist. She had been single for nine years; he was a recent widower.

But a date set up by friends brought them together for lunch at their favorite Mexican restaurant in Vestavia, Alabama, on “Half-Price Wednesday.” Two years later, they were married. Today, they’re still making smart financial choices—though their quest for the best scenic views and Mexican food has since led them to Las Cruces.

The Early Years

Howard “Kim” Allen ’69 was born in Artesia and lived there for eight years before his family moved to central Arizona, although his heart stayed firmly planted in New Mexico. In high school, he became a sports editor for his school newspaper and spent his first two years of college at Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher. There, he met Linda Jo Bowman, and the couple married soon after Kim earned his associate degree.

Around that time, Dr. Leon Wagley, former head of NMSU’s Agriculture and Extension Education Department, recruited Kim to study agricultural journalism and work as a student assistant to the sports information director for the NMSU Athletics Department. The Allens moved to Las Cruces, where Kim earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1969. As one of the first couples in the married student housing cottages at Cole Village, they enjoyed their early years as newlyweds.

“We met up with some of the other couples there, and even though my schedule kept me busy hustling for a buck, I was able to see all the football and basketball games while working on the staff crew,” Kim remembers. He could walk to classes or work in the Pan Am Center while Linda took the bus to the Physical Science Lab (PSL) White Sands facility, while working the evening shift in the computer lab.

After graduation, the Allens moved back to Arizona, where Kim began a career in farm publishing. He worked for John Deere’s magazine, The Furrow, from 1973 to 1978 before moving on to Progressive Farmer magazine, where he stayed for 30 years, retiring as Director of Custom Publishing. They raised a daughter and enjoyed life together until Linda passed away in 2004.

Southern Charm

Meanwhile, a thousand miles away, Beverly Nelson was busy building a life in Jefferson County, Alabama. She earned a degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and began her career as a parole and probation officer for the state, hoping to make a difference in her community.

After a few years, Beverly realized she wanted to work in a field with more positive influences than negative. “That experience prepared me for a career in recruitment,” she says. “I went on to work for two of the nationwide companies in Birmingham, helping hire and onboard new employees—whether they were filling open positions or part of a corporate merger.”

Beverly soon began traveling across the country for work, introducing new healthcare plans and helping merged employees transition into their new companies smoothly. She especially loved heading west and developed a fondness for New Mexico.

“Every time I visited Albuquerque, I was struck by how friendly everyone was,” she says. “They were the most welcoming, most fun people I had ever met.”

A Chance Meeting

Kim’s last job promotion brought him to Birmingham. There, he and Beverly finally crossed paths on a blind date. “She was the first woman I had taken out after my wife passed who offered to pay for our lunch, so I figured I’d better hang on to her,” smiles Kim.

After dating for two years, they married and began blending their separate lives into one. But where to live was up in the air. Beverly had spent her entire life in Alabama, but Kim had purchased a condominium in Las Cruces on a whim and traveled back and forth for work.

Kim suggested Beverly visit Las Cruces to see if she liked it, but she didn’t hesitate: “I don’t want to visit—I want to move there!” Still, it took 14 years before they could transition to Las Cruces full-time. They eventually purchased a home in Picacho Hills, where they have a perfect view of the Organ Mountains. “Anywhere I go, I can find my way back by looking at those mountains,” Beverly adds.

   

Leaving a Legacy Together

Once they were settled, Beverly and Kim decided to make a legacy plan. Kim already supported the football team through season tickets and membership in the booster club.

But a postcard in the NMSU Foundation’s planned giving magazine caught Kim’s eye, and he sent it back to the Foundation for ideas on charitable giving. Steve Covington, executive director of estates and gift planning, called Kim, and the three met for coffee.

The couple had already designated through their wills that a portion of their estate benefit NMSU but had not yet informed anyone. Steve invited them to join the 1888 Society, the group of alumni and friends who have created gifts for NMSU through a will, trust, insurance policy, or other estate gift.

A year later, they met to discuss a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from Kim’s retirement account. This allows individuals aged 70 ½ and older to make a tax-free withdrawal from their IRA directly to a qualified charity such as NMSU, which also can count toward a required minimum distribution for those who must take one. They initiated a QCD to support the activities at NMSU that are important to them. “We just call our broker every year and tell him where to make the donations out of Kim’s IRA,” Beverly says.

Finally, Kim and Beverly set up a charitable gift annuity (CGA) with the NMSU Foundation. In return, they became eligible for a partial tax deduction and now receive a fixed stream of income from the NMSU Foundation for life, with the remainder of the donation benefiting their favorite NMSU programs after their lifetimes.

They directed their support to four different areas: the general scholarship fund, the football program, NMSU’s radio station (KRWG), and the Aggie women’s basketball program—all causes close to their hearts. Beverly appreciates KRWG for its in-depth news coverage and cultural programming. Kim’s passion for women’s basketball comes from coaching his daughter’s team and seeing firsthand the sport’s impact.

More than anything, they wanted to support the many first-generation students who come to NMSU. “We believe that when we support NMSU, we’re also supporting Las Cruces,” Beverly adds.

While they cherish the serenity of watching the moon rise over the Organ Mountains together, their greatest joy comes from knowing they are making a lasting impact at New Mexico State—one that will empower students for years to come. That, and enjoying the best Mexican food this side of the border.