Gloria Parra Rios, 74, a former resident of Bayard, NM now of Maricopa, AZ entered eternal rest Tuesday August 2, 2022 at her residence surrounded by her family. She was born May 26, 1948 in Vanadium, NM to Pedro and Maria Parra.
Gloria was very strong in her Catholic faith and loved to share her love for God with all family and friends through acts of kindness and compassion. She taught CCD classes for Our Lady of Fatima for 6 years and most loved her First Holy Communion classes as she took great pride in her teachings. Gloria had immense strength and did nothing more than amaze her loved ones as she fought long tough battles with 3 recurrences of Breast Cancer and her final battle with Colon cancer. Her favorite past times were fishing with her Compadres the Carrascos, playing her guitar which she did so gracefully for Sunday church masses and Mariachi groups, attending prayer meetings with her late best friend Chelo Salas, spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She will be dearly missed by all who's lives she touched and all who love her.
She is survived by her two daughters Leticia Rios Martinez (Ruben) of Maricopa, AZ and Renee Rios Holguin (Juan) of Maricopa, AZ; 9 Grandchildren, Janel Martinez (Mike) of Tolleson, AZ; Jacqueline Martinez (Zachary) of Maricopa, AZ; Sebastian Black (Tempest) of Flagstaff, AZ; Dezmond Rios (Katie) of Maricopa, AZ; Chantel Holguin (Cade) of Casa Grande, AZ; Josiah Holguin; Ciara Holguin of Maricopa, AZ; Joshua Holguin of Las Cruces, NM and Jachin Escamilla of Santa Fe, NM; Great Grandchildren Liliana, Chris, Callie, and Scarlett; Brothers Pedro Parra of Deming, NM; Johnny Parra of Mechanicsville, VA; Sisters Frances Pennington of Safford, AZ; Maria (Manuel) Mendoza of Alhambra, CA; Linda (Salvador) Quintana of Deming, NM; Virginia (Randy) Smith of Tolleson, AZ; Stella Parra of Deming, NM Brother-in-Law Joseph Rios of Silver City; Sister-in-law Anita (Nini) Rios of Silver City; Numerous nieces and nephews but two most closest to her heart Michael Quintana and Alicia Barrio; God Children Zita Quintana and Connie Milo.
She was preceded in death by her husband Antonio J. Rios; her parents Pedro and Maria Parra; her father and mother-in-law Jesus and Isabel Rios; brothers Mingo Parra; Luis Parra; Sister in-law Reyna Rios; brother-in-law Thomas Rios.
Visitation will be Thursday, August 11 from 5-6pm at Terrazas Funeral Chapels with the prayer vigil/rosary to be recited by Deacon David Castañon to commence at 6pm. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 12 at 9:30am at Santa Clara Catholic Church with Father Casmir Anozie officiating. Concluding service and interment will follow at Fort Bayard National Cemetery. Pallbearers are Dezmond Rios, Josiah Holguin, Sebastian Black, Michael Quintana, Joseph Rios and Ruben Carrasco.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels “Trusted care for the ones you love” ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.