Obituaries

Tommy Lynn Benjamin, 84, of Las Cruces, NM, passed away on December 4, 2025. Born on December 19, 1940, in Bayard, NM, he was a devoted husband to Regina and a loving father to Ruby and Tommy.

Tom was an avid bass fisherman. He enjoyed fishing at Elephant Butte (NM), San Carlos (AZ), Lake Roosevelt (AZ), and Lake Powell (AZ).  He loved bowling and spent years bowling in the leagues with his buddies. In high school, he played football for Cobre High School and had many scholarship opportunities. He also loved running track. He spent four years in the United States Navy. 

Tom was hard-working and dedicated. He spent 37 years working as a heavy equipment operator for the mines in Santa Rita, NM, where he developed many wonderful friendships with his crew. Despite his many responsibilities, he always made time for his family. He enjoyed birthdays, holidays, and vacations with his family and extended family. Though Tom may not have liked being the center of attention, he deserves to have his long years of fatherly love honored. He was a man of integrity and a devoted father and husband. He was tough, fearless, and uncompromising when it came to protecting others. As he grew older, nothing mattered more to him than his family. Time with his kids, grandkids, and great-grandson was pure joy to him. He could be rough, but he loved us fiercely—more deeply than we may ever fully understand. His stories, his laughter, his protectiveness, his lessons…they live in us now.

Stanley Elkins, 87, a resident of Glenwood, NM entered eternal rest Sunday, December 14, 2025 at his residence surrounded by his family.  Arrangements are pending with Terrazas Funeral Chapels ~ 575-537-0777.

Juan Duran Jr, 99 a resident of Silver City, NM entered eternal rest Monday, December 15, 2025 at his residence.  Arrangements are pending with Terrazas Funeral Chapels ~ 575-537-0777.

Martha Jiménez Núñez, de 78 años de edad, residente de Columbus, falleció el miércoles 10 de diciembre de 2025 en Hospitals of Providence Transmountain Campus en El Paso, Texas.

La visitación se llevará a cabo el lunes 22 de diciembre de 2025 a las 4:00 de la tarde en la Funeraria Baca's, donde el rezo del Santo Rosario se celebrará a las 6:00 de la tarde. La Misa de cuerpo presente se oficiará el martes 23 de diciembre de 2025 a las 12:30 de la tarde en la Misión Católica Sagrada Familia en Columbus, seguida del sepelio en el Cementerio Valley Heights. El Padre Tony Basso oficiará los servicios.

Martha nació el 23 de marzo de 1947 en Meoqui, Chihuahua, hija de Carmen Nieto y Ricardo Jiménez. Amaba sus plantas, especialmente sus rosas, y disfrutaba escuchar cantar a los pájaros mientras cuidaba su jardín. Tenía una mano prodigiosa para la jardinería y podía convertir las rosas que recibían sus hijas en hermosos rosales. Muchas personas pasaban frente a su casa solo para admirar su bello jardín. Le encantaba pasar tiempo con su familia, especialmente con sus nietos. Algo que tambien disfrutaba era escuchar musica, cuando limpiaba su casa, trabajaba en su jardin o simplemente por el placer de escuchar a sus cantantes favoritos.

Joyce P. Harter, 78, of Hanover passed away Thursday, December 11, 2025 at Genesis Silver City Care Center. Arrangements are pending under the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joyce Patricia (Wilson) Harter, please visit our floral store.

Heaven was blessed with the arrival of our little Angel, Elliana Alvarez. Elliana was born May 21, 2025 in Deming, New Mexico and passed away on November 22, 2025 in El Paso, Texas. Taken way too soon but God must have needed a special Angel so he called home Baby Elliana.

She was the beloved child of Andrew and Gabriella Alvarez and cherished by her siblings, Mia, MaryJane, Lilly, Callie, Aria, Nayeli, and Sophia.

She is survived by her great-grandfather, Christobal (known to everyone as Opa); grandparents, Christina, Jerry, Tom & Claudia and Steve & Lindsey; her aunts and uncles, Madison, Crystopher, Caleb, Emily, Hannah, Maricruz, Neko, Josiah, Nathaniel, Rachel and Max; her great uncle, Lorenzo; cousins, Layla, Genesis, Kaylee, Angel, Tony, Jack, Leslie, and Josiah.

Though brief, her life brought immense love and joy to everyone who was blessed to know her. Her smile would light up the whole room and we will all miss her precious cuddles. However, we can find peace in knowing that she is now safe with Jesus. Sweet little Elliana you will be forever missed and cherished in our hearts.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 11 o'clock in the morning at Mountain View Cemetery. Pastor Steven Alvarez will be officiating.

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

Peter Manuel Ortega, 85 a resident of Silver City, New Mexico entered eternal rest on Sunday, December 14, 2025 at his residence.  He was born on April 29, 1940, first of two children to his parents, Paul Ortega and Bertha Morrell.

In 1959 on Whittier Blvd he met his lifelong love, Irma Carolina.  They were married in 1960 and their love story lasted for 61 years.  Pete and Carol would go on to have three children in California. In 1971 the family relocated to Silver City, New Mexico, where they added another child and lived out the rest of their lives together with their four children.

To all that knew him, he was known as Camps.  He worked as a carpenter for the Silver City School District until retirement.  Pete was an avid hunter, fisherman, and all-around outdoorsman, and camp extraordinaire.  He enjoyed his afternoons watching a good country western movie or relaxing while reading a Louis L'Amour book. If there was a game on, Pete was always excited to cheer on one of his teams – the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Dodgers, or the Los Angeles Lakers.

Ann Luckett Estensen (1948-2025)

Ann Estensen, 76, passed to eternal life December 8, 2025. Ann grew up in El Paso, Texas and graduated from Coronado High School where she developed many enduring friendships. Ann attended Newcomb College in New Orleans and later received her master's from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Phoenix. She and her husband Mark Estensen spent almost 30 years in Phoenix raising a family and enjoying lifelong friendships. Ann worked as a pediatric therapist in the Phoenix Metropolitan area and later in southwestern New Mexico when she and Mark relocated to Pinos Altos in 2007. Ann was a loving, exceedingly patient and selfless mother to her children, son Michael and daughter Sara. She enjoyed tai-chi and darts which she practiced regularly with friends. She was loyal, fiercely stubborn, and resilient through hardship, often turning to her faith for strength and guidance. Ann was warm and loving to all whose paths she crossed. She was preceded in death by her soul mate of 38 years, Mark Estensen. She is survived by her son Michael, daughter Sara, brothers Al, Mike, and Rob and other extended family. Ann will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, December 20th at the Bear Creek Cabins Lodge in Pinos Altos from 1-3pm. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ann Luckett Estensen, please visit our floral store.