Obituaries

Alex M. Sandoval, 63, of Silver City passed away at home Friday, May 8, 2026. Arrangements are pending under the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alex M. Sandoval, please visit our floral store.

Gloria M. Chavez, 82, a resident of Bayard and formally of Deming passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on Monday, May 4, 2026. She was born January 24, 1944 in Deming, New Mexico to Tomas Medina and Bertha Dominguez.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 9 o'clock in the morning till 10 at Baca's Funeral Chapel in Deming, where the recitation of the Holy Rosary will commence at 10 led by Deacon Art Guiterrez. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 o'clock at St. Ann Catholic Church followed by the rite of committal and interment at Mountain View Cemetery. Fr. Tony Basso will be officiating.

Here are some reflections on the life of our mother, Gloria. A devoted homemaker and a pioneer in her field, she dedicated herself to teaching children with disabilities through Southwestern Services for the Handicapped. She successfully taught programs and collaborated with YARC teenagers to bridge the gap between children with disabilities and without disabilities in the Grant County area. She even drove a bus to ensure every child had a way to get to the program and back home.

Later in life, Gloria earned her bachelor's degree with honors from WNMU. Following graduation, she joined CYFD in Silver City, where she positively impacted the lives of many children. She eventually became a Supervisor in the Deming office and, after retiring, was specifically called back to continue her valuable service.

Cristina A. Milo, 64, lifelong resident of Deming entered eternal rest on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at her home. She was born May 16, 1961 in Deming, New Mexico to Manuel F. Milo and Elena Aguirre.

Visitation will begin on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 from 5 to 6 o'clock in the evening at Baca's Funeral Chapel with a funeral service to commence at 6. Cremation will follow and she will be laid to rest with her daughter Melissa Almanza on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 11 o'clock in the morning at Mountain View Cemetery. Pastor Koreen Guillermo will be officiating.

Cristina is survived by her mother Elena A. Milo; her 2 children, Orlando "Lonnie" Almanza (Veronica Ramirez) and Cynthia (Orlando) Jimenez; 4 grandchildren, Xavier and Angel Almanza, Alex (Margaret) Almanza, and Melici Jimenez; 2 great-grandchildren, Aliyah and Zayden Almanza; 2 siblings, Armando Milo and Olga (Tony) Tapia.

She is preceded in death by her father Manuel Milo; her daughter, Melissa Almanza; and a brother, Manuel Milo Jr.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Cristina A. (Aguirre) Milo, please visit our floral store.

Amber Nichole Sanchez, age 43, of Silver City, New Mexico, passed away peacefully at her home on May 3, 2026. She was born on August 23, 1982, in Silver City to John and Patsy (Torres) Alexander.

Amber was a loving wife, devoted mother, cherished daughter, sister, aunt, godmother, and loyal friend whose kindness and warmth touched the lives of so many. She is survived by her loving husband, Max Sanchez; her beautiful daughters, Aubrey Alexander, Destiny Sanchez, and Kadence Sanchez; her parents, John and Patsy Alexander; and her father and mother-in-law, Fred and Lisa Lucero.

She is also survived by her sisters, Tracie (Andres) Gomez and Leslie Hernandez; her nephews, Andres (Jazmin) Gomez, Alejandro (Marisa) Gomez, Antonio Gomez, John Alexander, Nicholas Hernandez, and Estevan Hernandez; as well as 3 great-nephews and 3 great-nieces. Amber was also blessed with 22 godchildren whom she loved dearly. She leaves behind her three very special friends, Tierra Langley, Victoria Sanchez, and Sara Lamberson, along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family members, and friends who will forever cherish her memory.

Richard O. Morones, 58, a resident of Silver City, New Mexico, entered eternal rest on Monday, May 4, 2026, at his residence.  He was born to Carlos Morones and Nellie Ordonez, on December 20, 1968.

Richard also known as "Rich" "Bubby", lived most of his life in Silver City, New Mexico.  He attended Silver High School, and excelled in academics, playing football and soccer.  He graduated in 1985.  He attended WNMU in the late 80's, then transferred to NMSU to pursue an engineering degree.  Throughout his adult life he worked for mining companies such as; Phelps Dodge, Freeport McMoran, and several Wyoming mines.  He was a "Field Mechanic"/ heavy equipment operator and an Army Veteran who served his country with pride.

Rich was a man of knowledge who was an expert in US History and politics -he loved to debate with a sense of humor.  Richard loved to watch movies, go to yard sales, thrift shops, fishing, camping, riding his Artic cat and working on cars.  He was a great mechanic and always helped both friends and family.  Rich always loved to have family gatherings (family was everything to him). He enjoyed working on big and small projects – especially with his siblings.  He was a man of integrity and fiercely loyal to his family.  Richard's greatest love was his daughters and granddaughters; he cherished them so. 

Socorro Chaparro Medina "La Hormiga", 92, a resident of Silver City, entered eternal rest on, Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Fort Bayard Medical Center. He was born on July 22, 1933, to Juan Medina and Maria DeLaCruz Medina, in La Noria, Parral Chihuahua, Mexico.  He migrated to the United States as a Bracerro.

 It is with deep love and sorrow that we announce the passing of a devoted husband, father and cherished grandfather Socorro Chaparro Medina "La Hormiga", whose kindness, strength, and unwavering support shaped the lives of all who knew him.

He was a man who found joy in the simple, meaningful moments in family gatherings filled with laughter, quiet conversations that offered wisdom, and the pride he felt watching his children and grandchildren grow. He had a deep love for the mountains, where he found peace and purpose, often spending time camping beneath open skies and cutting wood with his own hands. Through these moments, he taught those around him the value of hard work, discipline, and self-reliance, lessons that will carry on for generations.

Elizabeth Joan Wooten, age 90, a faithful servant of the Lord, was called home to be with her Savior on May 2, 2026.  A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and neighbor, Joan spent her life nurturing others with care and grace.  If she knew you, she was praying for you.

Joan was born on January 19, 1936, in Fordyce, Arkansas to the late Loyed A. and Lenora C. (Jordan) Langley.  She was also preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband of 51 years, Robert H. "Bob" Wooten, her daughter Bobbie Ann Wooten, and her sister, Mary Williams.

Though Joan was born, raised and educated in Fordyce, she always said that her life never truly began until she met Bob. They met on a blind date in her junior year of high school. She joked that he was the first boy she ever kissed and he would be the last. . . and he was. They married soon after she graduated in 1954. 

Bob and Joan started their family there in Fordyce where Joan started her career as a secretary as well.  She worked for the Fordyce News Advocate and the Fordyce Lumber Company before the small family of five relocated to New Mexico.  They lived in Roswell, Los Alamos, and finally Silver City, but Joan was always able to find work as a secretary - first with the oil companies in southeastern New Mexico, then with the scientific labs in Los Alamos, and finally with Phelps Dodge in Silver City.  Joan always valued the friendships she made with the great people out at Tyrone.  She retired from PD in 1996.

Ernestina B. Martinez, 93, a resident of Santa Clara, NM, entered eternal rest Monday, April 27, Ernestina "Tina" Beltran Martinez, beloved wife, mother, and friend to all who knew her, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2026, at the age of 93. Born on February 15, 1933, in Hanover NM, to Salvador Beltran and Angela Tafoya. 

Tina lived a life defined by faith, family, and a boundless generosity of spirit.

For 32 years, she served her community with a warm smile as a cashier and in the bakery at Bailey's Food Market — a role that suited her perfectly, as her love of cooking and baking was legendary. Her kitchen was a place of comfort, and those lucky enough to sit at her table knew they were loved.

Tina's faith was the cornerstone of her life. A devoted and active member of Santa Clara Catholic Church, she gave of herself tirelessly — teaching catechism and marriage classes, bringing communion to the homebound, participating in the funeral ministry, and sharing in the joy of bingo with her fellow parishioners. Her dedication to her church family was a reflection of the deep love she carried in her heart.