Ernestine

Hedgecock

Ernestine Hedgecock

It is with much sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Ernestine Hedgecock, 91. She peacefully left this life on the evening of May 24, 2025, with her granddaughters Hannah, Rebecca and other family members by her side. She was known to family and friends as "Tina" or "Ernestina", but our dad affectionately called her "Tini". Ernestine was born to Fidel Aldana Marrujo and Angelita Eres Marrujo on December 5, 1933, in the little adobe house our grandfather built at 1175 N. Mesquite St., across from Our Lady of Health Catholic Church in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She was a granddaughter of Victoriano Eres, Piro Indian, Piro-Manso-Tiwa Indian Tribe, Pueblo of San Juan De Guadalupe and Maria Sanchez Eres. Ernestine was first cousin to our Cacique Eddie Roybal and was an active and proud member of the Piro-Manso-Tiwa Indian Tribe, Pueblo of San Juan De Guadalupe. Her paternal grandparents were Isaac Marrujo and Navora Aldana Marrujo. She left school to work and help her family. She cleaned homes, was employed by A&W Root beer stand. Woolworth's and several other shops on downtown Main St. In 1959 she met her beloved soldier from Oklahoma, Harold Gene Hedgecock. He was stationed in the US Army, at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico and they married on October 8,1960 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. They would become life partners for the next 65 years and parents of 6 children. During dad's 20-year Army career, we lived at Ft. Richardson, Alaska when a 9.2 magnitude earthquake hit in 1964. Our mom was 7mos pregnant with her first son, Harold Gene Jr. and doing laundry in the basement when the quake hit. She enjoyed making Ceramics as a hobby with her friends. Then Ft. Rucker, Alabama where we would spend time at Lake Tholocco and the beaches that mom and dad loved, in Panama City, Fla. On to Ft. Dix, New Jersey, where we hiked, fished/explored beaches for seashells and treasures, enjoying mom's favorite saltwater taffy on the Atlantic City Boardwalk and huge fresh pretzels at a kiosk in front of morn and dad's favorite place to shop, Two Guys Department Store. Mom's most memorable road trip was with her friend Sandy Hoeltzel to New York City, touring the Statue of Liberty and Broadway, she had so much fun and often spoke of that trip. Next Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Mom and dad renewed their marriage vows and were married by the Catholic Church at Grierson Hill, Ft Sill, Oklahoma, on July 14, 1972. Ft. Hood, Texas is where my father would retire from and yet be the saddest days for mom, dad and our family. This is where their youngest daughter and our sister, Stacy died in 1976 (14). My younger brothers would never know how happy and full of life our parents were before this tragedy.

A graveside inurnment will be held on Monday November 16, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. at St Joseph’s Cemetery, 100 N. Espina Street.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca’s Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for “Veterans and Family Memorial Care.” For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com