With great sorrow, we announce the passing of ELIZABETH SOUZA BAUTISTA, our loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great, great grandmother. She left her residence in Las Cruces, NM peacefully surrounded by family to be with our Lord on February 25, 2024. Elizabeth was born in Eagle Pass, Texas in 1923 to Arthur and Rosa Souza. When she was young, her mother moved the family to Gomez Palacio, Durango where she grew up and married Manuel Bautista. They had five children: Jose Luis, Maria Magdalena, Maria del Refugio Mercedes, Rosa Elizabeth, and Luz Alejandrina.

In 1963, Elizabeth moved to Artesia, NM where she worked as a housekeeper for Mr. Vilas and Betty Sheldon. Years later, she went on to work as a cook at various restaurants including Travelers Motel, KBob's, and Stockman's Choice Café owned by the Huckabee's.  Known for her tenacity, Elizabeth taught herself to drive at the age of 43 so she could take her children to church and transport friends as needed. She also enrolled in night school to learn English with most nights attending with her children in tow. After her retirement in 1990, Elizabeth served as a volunteer at the Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop. In 1994, Elizabeth was recognized for her volunteer work and received the President's Award. In 1999, she received the Outstanding Auxilian of the Year Award on behalf of Hospitals & Health Systems Association in New Mexico. In May 2001, she was honored for her 6,500 volunteer hours. She was proud to have served her community and grateful to help others.

Elizabeth was an active member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and volunteered during their fundraising events such as Fiestas for many years.  She also volunteered at the Moose Lodge. She was most happy when helping others whether transporting elderly friends to doctor's appointments and errands, playing bingo, or just visiting with friends warmly known as "comadres."

Our beloved mother will be remembered for her devotion to family especially her children whom she passed on the importance and value of faith in God, education, family, and hard work. Elizabeth was an excellent cook, and her children are blessed to carry on the many traditions centered around her kitchen and food. Friends will warmly remember her as Betty, Güera, and Comadre.

The family gives thanks to the many neighbors and friends that looked after mom in her later years. This includes her caregiver Maruka Soto whom she loved as a daughter, Aniseto Muñoz (Cheto), Mr. Gallegos whom annually honored her birthday by singing Las Mañanitas and Ave María, Pablo Salsbury and the Huckabees and many others who regularly visited to check-in on mom and deliver food. We were blessed to celebrate her 100th birthday in 2023 with family and friends.

Elizabeth is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur Souza, and Rosa Martínez; husband, Manuel Bautista; son, José Luis Bautista; daughter, Magdalena Schaffer; brother, Arturo Souza and sister, Rosa Padilla. She is survived by her children Maria (and Robert) Pearce, Rosa (and Frank) Holguin, and Lucy (and Leo) Cadena, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Many thanks to family, friends, the medical staff at Memorial Medical Center and Mesilla Valley Hospice.  Special thanks to Father George Szal for his comforting words and blessings at this difficult time.

At her request cremation has taken place and the Prayer Vigil will begin at 1:30 PM Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at the San Jose Catholic Church, 353 Josephine Street in La Mesa where the Memorial Mass will be celebrated immediately thereafter with The Reverend Carlos Espinoza, Celebrant. Inurnment of cremains will be held at a later date.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapel of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory, 300 E. Boutz Road, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com