Obituaries

Joseph Edward Stevens, 83 in the early morning hours of December 8, 2025, "Ed" passed away peacefully in his home in Hurley, New Mexico.

Ed was born on January 6, 1942, in Douglas, Arizona, to Joseph Ernest Stevens and Katherine Elizabeth (Kimble) Stevens.  At the age of five, his family relocated to Deming, New Mexico, where he spent his childhood and adolescent years.  Ed played high school football for the Deming Wildcats. In 1960, he enrolled at McMurry College (now McMurry University), where he studied business, played the clarinet in the college band, and met the love of his life, Nancy Jay (Smith) Stevens.  Ed and Nancy were married in Midland, Texas, in 1964.  Nancy preceded him in death July 7, 2012, after 49 years of marriage.

Following his graduation in 1964 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, Ed and Nancy settled in Silver City, New Mexico.  There, Ed managed his family's soda pop bottling business while Nancy continued her studies at Western New Mexico University.  They purchased their first home on Mississippi Street, where they raised their two children Christina Cathleen (Stevens) Rigtrup and Gary Edward Stevens.  The "Mississippi Street House" became a cornerstone of the Stevens family – symbolizing the belief that while hard work could take you far, love could take you even farther.

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.