Manuela Chavez Castillo, 89, went home to be with Jesus on Friday, May 17, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.  She was born on December 23, 1934, in Palomas, Mexico, to Daniel Rodriguez Chavez and Antonia Corona Chavez.  Manuela married Jose Lujan Castillo and they were married for 48 years and had 8 children.

Manuela was first and foremost a devoted mother, grandmother and wife who was a mother figure to many of the neighborhood children, as well. Manuela was a devout Catholic and was a communicant of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, where she attended faithfully for the past 67 years.  She was a Eucharistic Minister, a proud member of the Guadalupanas, a Cursillista, the church choir, and the Altar Society.  She was always helping with bingos, making tamales for the annual church fiesta and was well known for her famous salsa and the best gorditas.

She enjoyed cooking for family and friends, traveling far and wide with her husband and a grandchild or two in their motor home, camping and fishing (and she loved to rub it in when she caught more fish than her husband).  She spent many hours working on jigsaw puzzles and was always ready to challenge anyone to a game of Chinese Checkers.

Manuela is survived by her three sons, Pete Castillo (Sally), Jose Daniel Castillo (Rebecca) both of Silver City, NM and Rudy Castillo (Sylvia) of Arenas Valley, NM; her four daughters Aurora Mendoza (Tony) of Albuquerque, NM and Margarita Miller of Silver City, NM, Virginia Casares (Alex) of Pueblo, CO and Rosalia Beyhan (Danny) of Farmington, NM; her brother Alfredo Chavez of Bayard, NM; her 22 grandchildren, 56 great grandchildren, and 14 great-great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son Enrique; her three brothers Miguel, Daniel and Ysabel Chavez; her sister Dora Sanchez; her two grandchildren Steven Lucero and Andria Perez; and her son-in-law Frank Miller.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024 from 10-11am followed by the Holy Rosary at 11am recited by Carmen Terrazas at Terrazas Funeral Chapels in Santa Clara, NM.  The Funeral Mass will be at 12:30pm at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Silver City, NM with Fr. Oliver Obele officiating.  Interment will be at Fort Bayard National Cemetery at 2:00pm, where she will be laid to rest with her love, Jose. Pallbearers are Paul Mendoza, Robert Casares, David Castillo, Jeffrey Castillo, Efren Canas and Aaron Castillo.

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