Obituaries

Elena "Helen" Almanza, 79, lifelong resident of Deming entered eternal rest on Friday, March 21, 2025 in Las Cruces, NM.

A Memorial Service will be celebrated on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 11 o'clock in the morning at Baca's Funeral Chapel. Helen will then be laid to rest beside her beloved parents at Mountain View Cemetery. Pastor Obed Rivera will be officiating. Cremation has been entrusted to Baca's Mimbres Crematory.

Helen, as she was known by many was born March 16, 1946 in Deming, NM to Ysidro Almanza and Theresa Ramos. Helen was very intelligent and worked very hard throughout her life and did all that she could to provide for her family whom she loved deeply. Especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed family game nights which included some of her favorites like puzzles, bingo and many more. Helen also enjoyed painting on her tablet and loved to sing and dance as well. Her biggest talent of all was that she was an amazing cook. She gifted her talent to her family and friends and all were very pleased with her cooking. Helen was very close to her Heavenly Father and was a strong believer in her faith. She would play her worship/Chistian music every morning as she prepared herself for her day. Helen will truly be missed by many.

Larry Wesley Smith, 83, of Silver City passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, March 21, 2025. He was born August 11, 1941 to his parents, David Pat and Donnie (O'Connell) Smith, in Brownwood, TX at home and moved to Arizona before settling in Grant County, New Mexico.

He graduated from Cliff High School in 1959. He worked several movies under the direction of John Wayne; he can be seen in 2 movies Rio Bravo and The Cowboys. He moved to Silver City where he married Nancy Williams and had 2 sons. That marriage blessed 2 sons: David Keith (stillborn), and Larry Jay Smith. His second marriage and love of his life was to Sandra Hayes (deceased) and they together had 2 children Sharon (Weech) and Wes.

Roy James Martinez Jr., 55, a resident of Hurley, NM entered eternal rest Thursday, March 13, 2025 at UNM Hospital in Albuquerque, NM. Roy was born in Silver City, New Mexico on June 16th, 1969 at 1220 pm. His sun set in the early hours of March 13th, 2025, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Roy was a man of many hats. He moved to Tucson at a young age and met the mother of his children there. He was a hardworking man, with a work ethic unmatched by most around him. He naturally was a strong-willed leader that had the ability to make anybody work together. He was a loving father, with a heart as enormous as his imagination. There is much more to be said about him, and he will be missed dearly.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents: Pete & Hope Lucero, Al & Lucy Martinez; and his father, Roy Martinez Sr. He is succeeded by his mother, Teresa; his sisters Denise, Debbie and Pattie and his many nieces and nephews; his daughter, Alicia (Chente) and his sons, Christopher, Zakary (Madison), Matthew and Benjamin; his Grandchildren Atianna, Isla, Finn, Noa, and Otto. He will be eternally missed.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Son, Brother, and Uncle Derrick E. Benner of Deming, New Mexico who peacefully departed this life on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at the age of 46. Born in Bryan, Ohio on January 16, 1979.

A cherished member of our family, Derrick was known for his sense of humor, generosity, and inventiveness. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Derrick is survived by his mother, Kelly Longley (Cris Davison); 3 sisters, Jasmine Longley, Jade Muñoz (Angel Muñoz) and May Montez (Jake Montez); a brother, Tyler Davison and his many nieces and nephews; Brooke, Julian, Audrey, Sophia, Eden, Delilah, Atticus, and Zakery.

Cremation has been entrusted to Baca's Mimbres Crematory.

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

Jose "Joe" Manuel Avena, 62, beloved father, grandfather, son, & brother, entered eternal rest on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Chandler Regional Hospital in Chandler, Arizona. He was born on July 10, 1962 to his parents, Manuel and Rufina (Montoya) Avena in Silver City, NM.

Joe was a U.S. AirForce veteran. He was a jet engine mechanic supervisor. He worked at Allied Signal aerospace company in Chandler, AZ. Jose was known for his dedication to family and tireless work.

He is survived by his loving mother, Rufina; his son, Kel Avena; his daughter Cheyenne Avena; his granddaughter, Sofia; his siblings, Maria Garza (Benito), Helen Apodaca (Joe), Nancy Avena, Connie Avena, Chris Avena, Priscilla Avena (Genaro), Viola Vega (Steve) and Victor Avena (Raquel); his numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Manuel; his nephew Joseph Avena.

Frances Wilcox Laney
July 14, 1955 — March 10, 2025
On the morning of March 10, 2025, Frances Wilcox Laney was called home to be with her Lord and Savior. Known to her loved ones as Fran, she passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in her sleep at her home in Santa Fe, NM, at the age of 69; believed to be from complications of chronic diabetes and heart failure. Fran lived a life rich with love, laughter, and unwavering faith. A devoted wife, mother, Mimi, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend, she leaves behind a legacy of kindness, humor, generosity, and warmth that will never be forgotten.

Fran was born on July 14, 1955, in El Paso, TX. She was raised in Deming, NM, by her loving parents, Johnnie and Helen Wilcox. She was the oldest of their four children. A graduate of Deming High School in 1973, Fran excelled in academics, band, and vocal performance. She continued her education at Baylor University in Waco, TX, and had the opportunity to travel abroad, living in Israel on two separate occasions—once under the direction of Baylor's Department of Anthropology and another time on a kibbutz.

LEHMER, JEFFREY MARTIN 12/11/1959 - 3/14/2025 Pinos Altos, NM

Born in Norton Shores, MI, the son of Edward and Eleanor Lehmer, attended Hile School and then the Grand Haven public school system until graduation. Studied Forestry at Michigan Technological University and then moved on to Silver City, New Mexico where he apprenticed to become an ironworker. After seeing more
of the country as a "boomer" he returned to Silver City, where he constructed and operated a taxidermy shop/pest control business.

A jack of many trades, he was a journeyman ironworker, fur buyer, trapper, sponsor of an annual coyote calling contest, on call as a forest fire contractor, hosted a weekly poker game and organized countless buffet style dinner parties to celebrate the holidays with his many friends.

He is survived by his sons, Forrest and Jacob, siblings Bill, Dave, Ray, and Wendy, and lifetime best friend Douglas Derby. In his later years, he suffered from Parkinson's disease and was incapacitated from a stroke. His son Forrest cared for him until his death.

He was a singular character in his community of the southwest known affectionately for his business logo as "The Skunkbuster".

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

Carol Loraine Mitchell, 80, a resident of Silver City, NM, entered eternal rest on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at her residence. Arrangements are pending with Terrazas Funeral Chapels ~ 575-537-0777.