Obituaries

Lupe V. Diaz, 92, of Silver City passed away at home surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, September 20, 2025. Arrangements are pending under the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels. 

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

James Edward "Mutt" Yates, 89, lifelong Deming resident went to be with the love of his life and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 19, 2025, after a brief illness.

A memorial will be held at a date to be determined. Cremation has taken place at Baca's Mimbres Crematory.

Mutt was born January 3, 1936, in Deming, New Mexico to Paul and Nora (Stuart) Yates. He lived his entire life within 10 miles of where he was born. He graduated from Deming High School in 1954 and married the love of his life, Aletta (Bishop) Yates on October 7, 1953, during his senior year in High School. He would tell people that it was "narrow-minded" of Aletta to not let him go on his senior trip. When Aletta moved to Deming from Oklahoma and attended Sunshine School, Mutt came up from behind her and put his arm around her neck and she flipped him over her shoulder to the ground, and he got up and told his best friend that "he was gonna' marry that girl someday". Little did he know her 2 older brothers were college wrestlers. They were married for over 66 years at her passing in March of 2020.

He spent his whole life as a farmer in Luna County, where his father and grandfather farmed before him. He was happiest just working in the fields growing cotton, corn, milo, chile, and watermelons and left the "politics" of serving on a lot of boards and committees to others except for his one term as Luna County Farm Bureau President in 1974.

Delva L Coldwell, 88 of Silver City passed away September 19, 2025 in Santa Clara, NM

Visitation for Delva will be on Thursday, September 25, 2025 from 10 to 11 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3755 North Swan Street.  The Funeral Service will follow at 11 am.  The committal and dedication of the grave will be at 1 pm at Fort Bayard National Cemetery where she will be laid to rest with her husband, George F. Coldwell, Jr.

Delva Leora Connell Coldwell was born on October 22, 1936 in Pinos Altos, New Mexico to Isaac Lorenzo Connell and Oletta Minerva Benskin.  She was the oldest of five children.  Delva attended grade school in Bayard and attended high school in Hurley and she graduated from Cobre High School in 1955.

Delva married Delwin J. Lamoreaux in 1956 in Silver City and together were the parents of five children.  They were divorced after 17 years of marriage.  Delva married George Coldwell and together they raised a blended family of eight children.  She was a loving and devoted daughter, wife, and mother and spent her life in the service of her family and others who were blessed to know her.

Florencia Gomez Maldonado, 99, a resident of Silver City, NM entered eternal rest Friday, September 19, 2025 at Genesis Health Care in Silver City, NM. She was born October 27, 1925 in Gila, NM to Cesario and Manuela Maldonado. Florencia attended Cliff schools and graduated from high school in May of 1945.

After her dad (Cesario) passed in 1945, she became her moms' (Manuela) caregiver until her mom passed away in 1984. Then, in 1985, Florencia moved to Silver City.

When she moved to Silver City, she decided she wanted to volunteer for the Senior Volunteer Program at the Silver City Elementary Schools as a "Grandma". She volunteered from 1987 to 2017. Florencia enjoyed working with kids and treasured pictures, gifts and personal items the kids made for her in school. She also liked to sew, knit and do some embroidery.

Florencia had many nieces and nephews and kept track of their birthdays in a notebook.

She remembered all of them and would call them or send birthday cards. She enjoyed their celebrations, whether they were birthdays, weddings or holidays.

Jose R Campos Villa, 80, entered eternal rest Thursday, September 18, 2025, in Silver City, NM  Arrangements are pending with Terrazas Funeral Chapels ~ 575-537-0777.

Marty Howard McKinney, 65, entered eternal rest Friday, September 19,2025, in Silver City, NM.  Arrangements are pending with Terrazas Funeral Chapels ~ 575-537-0777.

Juliet left this world far too soon, but the love and light she shared will live on forever

Juliet was bright, loving, kind, and caring. Though shy by nature, her radiant smile could brighten any room. She carried a gentleness that touched everyone she encountered, showing kindness not through grand gestures but through countless small ones, an encouraging word, a listening ear, or a quiet act of support when it was most needed.

She loved deeply and cared fiercely for those around her. As a daughter and sister, she was both a source of joy and comfort in her home. As a friend, she offered loyalty, laughter, and a presence that made others feel safe and understood. Juliet had a way of making people feel seen, valued, and loved simply by being herself.

Her compassion, warmth, and smile will be remembered always. Though her time with us was brief, Juliet's spirit continues to shine through the countless lives she touched. Her memory will remain not as a shadow of loss, but as a lasting reminder of the beauty and tenderness she brought into the world.

She was a cherished daughter, a devoted sister, and a beloved friend. Juliet's light will never fade; it lives on in the hearts of her family and all who loved her.

Thomas Loera Chavira, 58, a resident of Arenas Valley, entered eternal rest Friday, September 12, 2025 @ Gila Regional Medical Center.   Arrangements are pending with Terrazas Funeral Chapels ~ 575-537-0777.