Evelyn M. Navarrete, 83, of Arenas Valley, passed away January 19, 2017 at Gila Regional Medical Center surrounded by her family.

Cremation has been entrusted to Baca's Funeral Chapels. A celebration of Evelyn's life will be at 2 pm on Sunday, January 22, 2017 at Valley Community Church, 19 A Racetrack Road in Arenas Valley. Officiating will be Pastor Nancy Curtis.

Evelyn was born on April 2, 1933 in Garden City, Kansas to Guadalupe Avila and Eleanor Gonzales. Evelyn loved to cook for her family and enjoyed gardening. She was also very involved with her church at Valley Community Church. She will dearly be missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by two sons, George Avila and Manuel Ortiz; five daughters, Lilli Moreno, Cynthia Ortiz, Wanda Ortiz, Teresa Hartford and Guadalupe Navarrete. Also surviving Evelyn are 19 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.