Obituaries

Kenneth Howard Leck, 84, a resident of Silver City, NM entered eternal rest Saturday, January 3, 2026 at Gila Regional Medical Center.  He was born July 25, 1941 to Fredrick Leck and Frances Howard in Fullerton, CA. 

He was an avid golfer and auto racing fan.  He and his wife Marie played golf and attended Formula 1 and motorcycle races through Europe, Canada, Australia and the British Isles.  When he wasn't playing golf and traveling.  He enjoyed daily walks with his beloved dogs.

He is survived by his loving wife, Marie Leck of Dewey, AZ; one son, Kerby Leck of Tucson, AZ; one daughter, Kira Leck of Bradford, PA; his sister, Jeanne Huber of Meridian, ID.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, James Leck and brother in-law, Larry Huber. 

Services will be at a later date in Dewey, AZ where his wife Marie currently resides.  Cremation will take place at Terrazas Crematory.

Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777.  To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com. 

Esker Roland Mayberry, 63, a resident of Cliff, NM, entered eternal rest on Friday, December 26, 2025, at Gila, NM. He was born July 30, 1962, to Roland Mayberry and Verna Sloan in Benson, AZ.

Esker was a pillar of the Gila/Cliff community. He was very involved with the school/sports community as his children grew up and loved to watch their basketball games. He served as a Bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and the restored gospel. He completed a career in the Border Patrol and traveled to various countries as a part of his work. He was a husband, father of 5 children in whom he instilled a strong work ethic, and a grandfather to four grandchildren whom he loved to take to the farm. He loved riding horses and working on the farm. He served everyone around him and was always willing to help anyone out, no matter what that meant.

He is survived by his loving wife of thirty-nine years, Linda Denise (Christensen) Mayberry (Cliff, NM); three sons, Derick Mayberry (Sacramento, CA); Dustin Mayberry (Natalie, Edgewood, NM); Travis Mayberry (Glendale, AZ); two daughters, Kayla and Christa Mayberry (Cliff, NM); and four grandchildren, Jaxton, Emberley, Harley, and Mason; his mother, Verna Mayberry (Safford, AZ), one brother, Curt Mayberry (Joyce, St. David, AZ); two sisters, Rhonda Layton (Brent, Globe, AZ); Shanna Mayberry (Mesa, AZ); as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father.

Martin Miller (1947–2026) Martin Miller, 78, passed away on January 3, 2026. Born in Wichita, KS, to Reece and Louwanda Miller, he was raised in Arizona. A Vietnam War veteran (1970–1971), Martin married Julia, his wife of 54 years, and earned his JD from Arizona State Law and a Master's in Education from WNMU. 

After moving to Silver City 50 years ago, Martin transitioned from law to his true calling in education. He served the Lordsburg School District for 28 years as a teacher and principal. In retirement, he helped establish the local Dyslexia Center via the Silver City Masonic Lodge and was a dedicated volunteer for the ACLU and the Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society. An avid historian and traveler, Martin's greatest joy was exploring the Gila National Forest and national parks with his family.

 He is survived by his wife, Julia; daughters Dorothy Miller (James Davidson) and Frances Carpenter (Jared); sister Marilyn Miller; and two grandchildren. 

Services: Tuesday, Jan. 13, 11:30 a.m. at Terrazas Funeral Chapels, Santa Clara. Interment with military honors to follow at Fort Bayard National Cemetery. Remembrances: www.historicfortbayard.org.  

Jose Barrera, 69, a resident of Silver City, NM entered eternal rest Monday, January 5, 2026 at his residence surrounded by his family.  He was born November 13, 1956 to Maximilliano Barrera and Antonia Fonseca at Mission, TX.

Jose was a loving husband to his wife of 45 years, and dedicated father to his 3 children. He was a kindhearted, patient, and dedicated family man, whose greatest joy became being grandfather to his grandchildren. Jose greatly enjoyed working and growing his landscaping business, which he started in 1989, where he drew great satisfaction from developing customer friendships through his work. He had an altruistic human touch, always lending a sympathetic and compassionate ear to anyone who was in need.

He is survived by his loving wife, Carmen Barrera of the family home; his son, Jose A. Barrera Jr.,  and wife Lisa Marie of Oro Valley, AZ; his daughter, Priscilla Barrera of Bayard; three grandchildren, Andres Esteban Perea, Isabella Claire Barrera, and Yaretzi Antonia Barrera; eight brothers, Felipe Barrera and wife Chelo of Mission, TX; Max Barrera and wife Maria of Corpus Cristi, TX; Billy Barrera and wife Alma of Corpus Cristi, TX; Jose Israel Barrera and wife San Juana of New Iberia, LA; Bobby Barrera of Mission, TX; Demencio Barrera and wife Julieta of Mission, TX; Ray Barrera and wife Margie of Mission, TX; Ricky Barrera and wife Lisa of Mission, TX; three sisters, Ramona Barrera of Mission, TX; Gloria Martinez and husband Carlos of Las Cruces, NM; Diana Barrera of Dallas, TX; numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Jesus Barrera; three brothers, Arturo, Edelmiro and Jesus Barrera; one sister, Antonio Barrera.

Margaret L. Perez of Silver City passed away January 2, 2026 in Silver City New Mexico at age 98.

Memorial Service of Margaret L. Perez will take place on Monday, January 12, 2026 at ten o'clock in the morning at Bacas Funeral Chapels in Silver City.   Concluding Services and Inurnment will follow at eleven o'clock in the morning at Fort Bayard National Cemetery. Officiating is Mr. Robert Salars. 

Margaret was born on September 24, 1927 to Roberto and Asuncion Limon. She married Porfirio Perez on June 12, 1950 in El Paso, TX.  They moved to Estancia New Mexico where Porfirio was the Agricultural Extension Agent for Torrance County.   Then they moved to Dell City, TX., where Porfirio had a cotton farm.  They had two children, Porfirio Jr., and Cristina.  In 1961, Porfirio sold the cotton farm to move to Mexico where they were ranchers and farmers for three decades.  Her husband also started the agriculture school at the University of Chihuahua.  They then moved to Silver City, New Mexico about in 1981.   Margaret became heavily involved in community activities, such as the Candy Stripers at Gila Regional Medical Center, the Garden Club and the Women's Club. 

With great sadness, yet with strong faith in Jehovah's promises, we announce the passing of Eva Prieto, 84, a resident of Deming, who fell asleep in death on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Eva was born in El Alamito, Chihuahua, to Octaviano Ponce and Josefa Rodriguez. For many years, she was a devoted member of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses. Eva found great joy in preaching and teaching others about the Bible and Jehovah's loving promises of hope and resurrection.

In her spare time, Eva enjoyed very much cooking and having her family by her side. Her family was very important to her.

She is survived by her children, Octavio (Ana) Prieto Jr., Margarita "Maggie" (Joey) Prieto, Celia Almanza, Hector Prieto, and Evita Prieto; along with 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Olivia Avila, and Adela (Carlos) Alarcon; and her brother, Arnulfo Ponce.

Eva was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Octavio Prieto; her daughters, Araceli Prieto, and Maria Isabel Prieto; her son, Oscar Prieto; as well as her siblings, Guillermo, Octaviano, and Pablo Ponce, Herlinda Hernandez, Elena Chacon, Virginia Morales, and Belen Viramontes.

The Rosary for Bernadine Cordova, currently of Fort Sumner, will be recited at 9:00 AM, Mon., Jan. 5, 2026 at St. Helen Catholic Church in Portales.  Mass of the Resurrection will follow at 10:00 AM. A Recitation of the Holy Rosary for her loved ones in the Silver City area will be held at 10AM on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Baca's Funeral Chapel in Silver City. A private committal service will follow.

Her children will be honorary pallbearers.

Bernadine Cordova was born May 20, 1965 in Santa Rita, NM to the home of Siria (Merino) and Pedro Garcia and passed from this life on Dec. 26, 2025 in Lubbock, TX.  Ms Cordova was a 1983 graduate of Silver City High School.  She continued her education at Eastern New Mexico University, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Communications and a second one in Family and Consumer Sciences.  Later she earned a Master's Degree from Highland University in Social Work.

For 15 years she was employed by the Portales Public Schools as a licensed Social Work Counselor.  She later worked at the Social Services office, WIC, and CYFD.  She was an Adoption Consultant as well as a Youth Transition Specialist helping young people transition from Foster Care into independent adult living.  Since June of 2025, she had been employed as the Head Behavioral Health Supervisor at Guadalupe County Correctional Facility in Santa Rosa, NM.

Bryiza Rochelle Rodriguez, 23, passed away unexpectedly at her residence in Silver City, New Mexico on December 25, 2025. Bryiza, a lifelong resident of Silver City, NM was born March 03, 2002.

Bryiza cherished the moments spent with her loved ones. Her affection for her family and friends was truly boundless. She found great joy in their shared experience and the comfort of their presence. This deep connection brought her immense happiness and fulfillment. Her relationships were clearly a cornerstone of her life. 

She found great pleasure in spending time outside, embracing the fresh air and natural beauty. Her days were often filled with the delight sounds of music, which she deeply appreciated. These simple joys contributed significantly to her overall happiness and well-being. She cherished moments spent in nature found solace in various melodies. The combination of outdoor activities enriched her life in many ways.