JUANITA VALLES LUJAN.

Mom was born on October 13, 1925, to parents, Jose and Carmen Valles in San Ysidro, NM. She was raised with 3 siblings, sisters, Minnie Barela and Rachel Carrillo and a brother Max Valles. She also spent time in the stomping grounds of Dona Ana with her sister Minnie and her friends the Escalante's, Abeyta's, and Banegas.

She married Jose "JJ" "Chuchan" Lujan on January 15,1950. They shared 67 years and became a family of 7 with 2 daughters Dolores and Olga; and 3 sons, Roberto, Jesse, and David in Hill, NM. In 1969, the family moved to Mesquite, NM where the family grew to 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

At the age of 59, Mom, with only a 6th grade education, went on to earn her GED at DACC and was hired by the Las Cruces Public Schools on August 8, 1984, as a Cafeteria worker and worked at several schools. At the age of 82 and 23 years of devoted service and love for all the children she served retired on June 30, 2007.

Mom enjoyed cooking for others and herself especially on her birthday where she made a meal of green enchiladas or red chile with pork, her famous "galletas", baked a cake and invited us over to help her celebrate. Mom also enjoyed sewing for her daughters and making them and others special dresses for quinceaneras, prom, and weddings. Mom was an avid bingo player where she often got pulled over by Dona Ana Deputy and he would ask her why she was going so fast. Her answer was, "I'm late for Bingo"! It worked because she never got a ticket. (He'd go into shock to have an 80-year-old going so fast). She also enjoyed going to the casinos in Las Vegas, Albuquerque, Ruidoso, and Sunland Park.

During her lifetime she traveled to Wyoming, Nevada, California, Arizona, Atlanta, New Jersey New York, and Mexico.

Mom will be sadly missed especially by her dog and longtime companion "DAIZEE".

Survivors include her children, 3 sons, Roberto "Bobby" Lujan (Carmen) of Vado, Jesse Lujan of Mesquite and David Lujan of Las Cruces; 2 daughters, Dolores L. Franco (Robert) of Georgetown, TX., and Olga "Booger" Lujan of Mesquite; a sister, Rachael Carrillo of Las Cruces; sister-in-law, Martha Lujan from Hill.  Other survivors include 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, J.J. "Chuchan" Lujan on November 11, 2017; sister, Minnie Barela and brother, Max Valles.

At her request cremation has taken place and Recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 10 AM Friday, March 7, 2025, at St. Albert the Great Newman Center, 2615 S. Solano Street with the Memorial Mass to follow.

Expressive gratitude, love and appreciation to the Staff in the Special Care Unit, for all the "LOVE" and care extended towards our mother during her 7 years at Las Cruces Village (Good Samaritan).

Cremation has 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