Obituaries

Oryan Ruiz McCants, 6, resident of Lordsburg, passed away Tuesday July 2, 2024 at his home. Arrangements are pending.

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Clee Crumbley, 62 years old, of Bayard, formerly of Silver City, passed away July 9, 2024 after a 6 year long hard-fought battle with cancer. Clee was born Oct 28,1961 to Raymond Crumbley and Jo Ann Grimes Crumbley in Silver City, NM.

Clee attended school in Cliff then started his long career of driving a truck following in his dad's footsteps. Clee owned Crumbley Trucking and C & J Trucking, where he hauled mostly oversize loads. Clee self-taught himself to work on his own trucks and after he wrecked his last truck, he rebuilt another truck and then hung it up working on trucks. Clee met many people around the country and has many lifelong friends that were all special part of his life. His grandkids who called him "critter" was from his handle.
Clee leaves behind his mother, Jo Ann Grimes Passig; his daughter, Kalyn (Mario) Adams; his grandchildren, Marnie, Braylee, Paxston, Scarlett and Pistol; his step-daughter, Shay Peterson; his grandchildren, Clayton, Cody, and Martina; his sisters Sue Ann Mattox, Bonnie (Will) Hille; his many nieces and nephews; his special cousins, Deily Crumbley and Jack Crumbley. He was preceded in death by wife, Jo Ann Fowler (2023); his father, Raymond Crumbley (1975), his sister, Sarah R Crumbley (1984); his brother, Clinton Passig (2004); his grandparents, William (Goo) and Vernon Grimes, Delia and Dezia Crumbley.

Donald Floyd Rogers, 88, a resident of Hanover, NM entered eternal rest Friday, July 5, 2024, at his residence surrounded by loved ones. He was born March 3, 1936, to Lee Marshall Rogers and Ula Bly Greer Rogers and grew up in Bayard, NM with his eight brothers and four sisters. He graduated from Cobre High School in 1955. He proudly served in the U.S. Army from 10/14/58 ~ 10/13/60. He married the love of his life, Judy Brown, on August 21, 1970. Together, they built a life rich in love and laughter.

He dedicated 42 years 7 months to Kennecott Copper Corp/Phelps Dodge retiring in Jan 1998. He was an active member and President of Mangus Bowman Archery Club, his four boys and wife shot as well and traveled across the country to many competitions.

Mary De La Torre, 82, a resident of Bayard, NM, entered eternal rest on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at her residence. Arrangements are pending with Terrazas Funeral Chapels ~ 575-537-0777.

Efrem Alex Duran, 44, a resident of Silver City, NM, entered eternal rest on Thursday, July 4, 2024. Arrangements are pending with Terrazas Funeral Chapels ~ 575-537-0777.

Rodolfo Tafoya Cardenas, 72, Deming resident passed away Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at Mountain View Regional Medical Center in Las Cruces.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 11 o'clock in the morning at St. Ann's Catholic Church with the rite of committal and inurnment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery, Father Prakasham Babu will be officiating. Cremation has been entrusted to Baca's Mimbres Crematory.

Rodolfo was born in Ascencion, Chihuahua, Mexico to Francisca Cardenas and Jose Ramon Tafoya. He moved to Deming in 2008 coming from Ascencion. He enjoyed hiking in the Florida Mountains and listening to music. Rodolfo was also a very talented mechanic and truck driver.

Rodolfo is survived by his wife, Maria G. Chavez Herrera; sons, Rodolfo (Alma) Tafoya and Carlos Tafoya (Eunice Luque); 11 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren; sisters, Aurora (Eduardo) Martinez, Lidia Saenz, and Martha Montaño.

Sandra Jean Speer, known affectionally as Sandi or Foxy, passed away on June 28, 2024, at the age of 78, in Duncan, Oklahoma. Born on August 2, 1945, in Hernshaw, West Virginia, she was a cherished member of her community and a beacon of joy to her family and friends.

Sandi graduated from Carlsbad Highschool and led a fulfilling career that began at the local Bus Depot in Carlsbad, where she met her beloved husband, Robert Speer. She later worked at Sul Ross State University in the library, located in Alpine, TX, then moving to Deming, she spent time working in two local banks, Deming National Bank and Mimbres Valley Bank, followed by a position as a vet tech at a local vet clinic. Sandi concluded her professional journey at the Deming Senior Center, where she served as the director of the volunteer program and contributed to the home-delivered meals program. Even in retirement, she continued to volunteer at the Senior Center, dedicating her time and energy to those in need.

Helen Alla, 68, of Deming, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 7:07 AM in Las Cruces, NM. Born on October 21, 1955, in Iloilo City, Philippines, Helen was a beacon of strength and resilience to all who knew her.

Helen was married to Marc Anthony Gullo, who predeceased her in 2014. Despite the absence of blood relatives in the United States, Helen found a family among the Filipino community in Deming, who supported her through the many challenges she faced.

Helen's courage was profoundly tested when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer in March of 2022. She confronted this diagnosis with remarkable determination and hope, enduring intense treatments, and the progression of the disease with unwavering bravery.

Helen's strength and the power of community were evident as friends and neighbors rallied around her. Her journey was not just a battle against illness but a testament to human resilience and the profound impact of community support.