Obituaries

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.

Hope Gonzales Arciero, 100, a resident of Silver City, NM entered eternal rest Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at her residence.  She was born November 9, 1925 in Fierro, NM to Francisco Arciero and Leonor Gonzales.

She is survived by her daughter, Peri R. Flores and husband Ramon of Silver City; three grandchildren, Francisco Rene Alvidrez and wife Monica, Sonia Maria Alvidrez-Ruiz and husband Julio, and Isaiah Flores; three great grandchildren, Francisco Rene, Francesca, and Jasline.  She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Alfredo, Alejandro Arciero and Frank Arciero Jr.; eight sisters, Julia Parson, Josey Donahue, Lucy Pena, Lily Barka, Ramona Arciero, Irene Arciero, Elvira Arciero, and Ramona Irene Castillo.

Robert "Bobby" Munoz Molina

August 27, 1939 – December 20, 2025

Robert Munoz Molina, affectionately known as Bobby or Moli, passed away peacefully on December 20, 2025, at the age of 86 surrounded by his family. He was born on August 27, 1939, in the town of Mogollon, New Mexico, to Canuto García Molina and Refugia Munoz Molina.

Bobby proudly served his country in the United States Navy from June 1959 to June 1965, where he was stationed in the South Pacific. On April 1, 1967, Bobby married the love of his life, Consuelo Herrera, whom he affectionately called "Lady." They spent over 58 years together building a beautiful family and life filled with love and laughter. He dedicated 30 years of hard work as a bricklayer in the smelter for Kennicott and Phelps Dodge where he worked tirelessly to support his family.

You could always find Bobby wearing his beanie and his zip-up hoodie sitting in his favorite chair —listening to music, watching wrestling, football, the Little League World Series, and indulging in his favorite snacks like cheese balls, Hershey's with almonds, animal crackers, and fudge bars while drinking a Seagram's 7 with Coke.

Virginia "Jean" Esqueda, 77, a resident of Bayard, NM entered eternal rest peacefully in her sleep on Monday, December 22, 2025 at her daughter's residence, in Tucson, AZ.  She was born on February 19th, 1948 to Ynez and Margaret Ybarra, in Silver City, NM.

Jean cherished spending time with her children, she loved being with her grandchildren, and celebrating all their special moments and achievements.  She enjoyed going to the movies and having her tub of popcorn and her pickle as well as her weekly lunches with her sister-in-law Susie Ybarra.  Jean loved her rides to get out of the house and do something with Lela Esqueda, and her adventures and travels with the Salas family, her constant phone calls with her children, friends, family and sister-in-law Terry Ybarra.

She is survived by, her three children Kaydene Soto of Conroe, TX, Judy Esqueda (Darrell Fielder) Tucson, AZ, and Bucky Esqueda (Iris), Tucson, AZ; her four grandchildren Mariah Soto (Dustin) Conroe, TX, Joby Esqueda, Tucson, AZ, Bj Esqueda, Tucson, AZ and Ari Valdez, Tucson, AZ; one sister Patsy Madrid, Silver City, NM, ; her sister-in-law Susie and Terry Ybarra; her Godchildren Frank Lucero Jr, Sonseree Munoz, Chris Munoz, and Diego Esqueda; numerous nieces and nephews and countless little ones who called her Nana Jean.  She is preceded in death by her husband Baldomero S. Esqueda, one son Steven Joseph, her parents Ynez and Margaret Ybarra; two brothers James and Richard Ybarra; her in laws Baldomero and Consuelo Esqueda; her brother-in-law Ruben Esqueda; and sister-in-law Rita Salgado.

Per Jean's request and to honor her wishes, no services will be held. 

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. 

Jerry M Huff, a resident of Silver City, NM entered eternal rest Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at Mountain View Memorial Hospital, in Las Cruces, NM.  Arrangements are pending with Terrazas Funeral Chapels ~ 575-537-0777.