In Loving Memory of JULIA LAGOS HOLGUIN, September 8, 1927 — July 18, 2025

With profound love and deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Julia Lagos Holguin. She was a woman of unwavering faith, wisdom and strength, whose life was a testament to service, devotion, and love.

Born one of eight children to Rafael Lagos and Francisca Melendez, Julia's upbringing laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to faith and community. Her early years were spent attending San Jose De Cristo Rey Church in Smeltertown, El Paso, TX, where she began her service alongside her mother at church fundraisers. She attended Jesus and Mary Catholic School, and as a teenager, she worked under Pastor Monsignor Costa on the Mount Cristo Rey Monument project, contributing to its construction and upkeep, and teaching CCD classes to local children. She even led her students in maintaining the pilgrimage roads to the monument and taught herself to play the organ, which she began playing at church services. In 1960, Julia joined Santa Teresita Parish in Buena Vista, El Paso, where she became a driving force in expanding CCD programs throughout Southern New Mexico and Texas.

Julia married Armando Viramontes in 1966 and moved to Las Cruces, NM. She became the first Hispanic woman to work for the Southwest Irrigated Cotton Growers (SWIG) in El Paso, dedicating over 50 years to the organization. After Armando's passing in 1972, Julia became a devoted member of St. Genevieve Parish.

In 1979, she married Arturo Holguin, also a widower and active parishioner. Julia lovingly embraced his daughters—Terry, Cindy, and Delilah—and helped raise them with grace and compassion.

For over 45 years, Julia was the heart of St. Genevieve's Parish. She played the organ for rosaries and Sunday Mass, taught CCD classes, and extended religious education to remote communities. Her students remember her as firm yet deeply loving. She led the Gordita fundraiser at the annual parish fiesta, eventually becoming chairperson and food manager, recruiting many family members to join her efforts.

Julia served over 58 years with the Catholic Daughters of America #1298, was President of the Sacred Heart League, and played a vital role in St. Vincent de Paul. She nurtured priests and seminarians and truly lived a life of service to the Lord.

We remember Julia as a mother of steadfast faith, boundless love, and resilience. Her legacy lives on in the lessons she taught, the conversations she shared, and the example she set every day.

Julia is preceded in death by her parents Francisca and Rafael Lagos; Her husband Arthur Holguin, her aunt Rosalia Melendez; siblings Socorro Lagos, Rafael Lagos, Salvador Lagos, and Josefina Bernal; grandson Jeremiah Langston and nephew Eddie Lagos.

She is survived by her daughters: Terry Holguin, Cindy Salas (spouse Louis), and Delilah Langston (spouse Bruce), one brother Benito Lagos, and a niece she helped raise, Cookie Montes. Julia was blessed with seven grandchildren—Louis Salas, Jessica Smith, Desiree Romero, Elijah Langston, Andrea Astorga, Briana Astorga, and the late Jeremiah Langston—and twelve great-grandchildren: Brooklyn, Aliana, Myles, Amaya, Analize, Jaxon, Jasiah, Kamaya, Stormi, Mariah, Messiah and Mila and many nieces and nephews.

At her request cremation has taken place and Recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 10:30 AM Saturday, August 23, 2025, at St. Genevieve's Catholic Church, 100 S. Espina Street, with the Memorial Mass will be celebrated immediately thereafter with the Reverend Theophine Okafor, Celebrant. Inurnment of cremains will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery.

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