Jessie Ruiz was born in Santa Rita, New Mexico to Andres and Emilia Valenzuela on February 14, 1943. She was beautiful inside and out. Chelo (as she is affectionally known by those who love her) was raised in the neighboring town of Silver City. She moved to Lordsburg, New Mexico when she was fourteen years of age. She immediately began to work at the Hidalgo Mercantile which was located in the famous Hidalgo Hotel plaza. Working was a staple in her life. She was known for her hard work and faithful dedication to whatever she did. Sometimes this consisted of ironing for families in the community which she did in her childhood, or waiting tables in a restaurant, or working in Public Education at the Lordsburg Municipal School system which she did till her retirement. It could be said, Chelo thrived in the gift of serving others and she did it with a smile and joy that impacted everyone around her.
She met the love of her life John Ruiz at fifteen and they got married at her tender age of sixteen on May 21, 1960. Her marriage to John was lifelong (45 years) until his death ten years ago. John and Chelo exemplified to the family the reality of persevering through the triumphs and the trials of life. No matter what life threw their way they chose to love and forgive each other by embracing the forgiving grace of Jesus Christ their Lord. She would always glean on the fact of how the Ruiz family impacted her life for the good. Pete and Aurora Ruiz welcomed her into the family and made her feel like a daughter from day one. John and Chelo loved to dance! They even won a couple of jitterbug dance offs. Jessie doing all the twists and turns and John making sure she fell safely into his loving arms.
The Lord blessed Chelo and John with 4 children, Sandra (who died shortly after birth), John, James (Shauna) and Joseph (Francine). Grandchildren eldest to youngest: Kassandra, Vincent, J.J., Vanessa, Jonathon, Jacob, Joey-Briane, Jacinda, and Teresa. Five great grandchildren: Vincent, Valerie-Star, Jazzie, Derek, and Steven. One thing that could be said of Chelo is she absolutely loved her family. Through the good times or the bad times (and through their good or bad choices) she was always there to console, listen, and (if needed) give some timely words of wisdom for them in their time of need. She loved and adored her family and in her eyes they could do no wrong. She was a friend to many and was loved by those who counted.
Lastly, and most importantly Chelo made a decision to put her faith in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. She trusted that His death on Calvary's cross and the fact of the resurrection on the third day, restored the broken relationship humanity has with God the Father. She understood that faith in Christ (alone) saves you from the effect of sin and death. So we are confidently assured that she is in the presence of the Almighty and is resting from all her labors in this life. And she will never suffer again. To God be the glory for her beautiful life and for the years He allowed us to have her with us. She will be greatly missed, but for all who trust in Jesus we have an eternal hope that we will see each other again on the glorious day of Christ's return. Until then €”Chelo, (Mom, Grandma, nana, aunt, sister, and friend) you will be greatly missed! But your beautiful face, and laughter and kindness will forever live on in our memories of you. We Love you so much!!
A prayer service will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church on Thursday August 27, 2015 at 6 o'clock in the evening led by Esther Valenzuela. Funeral services will be Friday morning at 11 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church with her son, Pastor James Ruiz officiating. Concluding services and interment will follow at Shakespeare Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Dax Gonzalez, Anthony Gonzalez, Pete Valenzuela, Jason Jacquez, Vincent Ruiz and Jacob Ruiz. Honorary bearers are J.J. Ruiz, Justin Kipp, Ramon Mejia, Victor Valenzuela, Virgil Valenzuela, Joseph Cittadini, Daniel Cittadini, Michael Bejarano, Jonathan Ruge and Andrew Valenzuela.