Our beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, JOSEPHINE "PEPA" V. CHAVEZ, age 94, resident of Fairacres entered eternal life on Tuesday, November 16, 2023, at Mountain View Regional Medical Center surrounded by her loved ones.  Born in Eloy, Arizona to Doroteo and Inez Valenzuela on August 24, 1929, "Pepa" as she was fondly known to family and friends, was a homemaker, farm worker, enjoyed selling what they grew at the Farmers Market and will be remembered for the beautiful quilts she created for family and friends. She was a charter member of the Colcheras Quilting Association and the Old Bats Quilting Bee.  She was also a member of the San Jose de Picacho Catholic Mission.  Pepa enjoyed reading her daily newspaper every morning while she had her breakfast and coffee, enjoyed walking daily around her farm which she called her little paradise right here on earth, and she had a passion for going to the casinos where she was usually a big winner.

She is survived by her daughters Inez Lamkin (Larry) and Estella M. Perez (Ernesto) of Las Cruces. She is also survived by her daughter-in law Cora Lee Chavez of Albuquerque, NM; her grandchildren Emilio J. Perez of Albuquerque, NM; Estevan O. Perez (Emilee) of Newport News, VA; Christine Rodriguez (Eddi)) of Albuquerque, NM; Denise Maturino (Luis); Jeannette Frietze (Mark); Kathryn Woodward (Matt); great-grandchildren Shelby Lee, Bailey McLellan (Drew), Trevor Frietze, Brandon, Avri, & Tanner Woodward and great, great  granddaughter Teagan McLellan all of Las Cruces, NM; and great grandson Kevin Rodriguez of Albuquerque, NM, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Elfego Chavez; her sons, Elias, and Lawrence Chavez; her grandson, Lawrence D. Chavez, and five brothers and sisters.

Her Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at the Basilica of San Albino, 2070 Calle de Santiago in Mesilla.  The Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, 5140 W. Picacho Avenue, Las Cruces, NM.

The casket bearers are Emilio J. Perez, Estevan O. Perez, Eddi Rodriguez, Ray Nieto, Trevor Frietze, and Brandon Woodward.

The family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces, 300 E. Boutz Road, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com