Paulita G. Lopez

Paulita G. Lopez, 82 of Fort Sumner, NM died Monday, May 13, 2013 at her home. She was born April 12, 1931 in Yeso, NM to the home of Jose Maria and Dolores (Maes) Garcia. Paulita was reared and attended schools in Yeso. She married Jose Alberto Lopez on November 3, 1947 in Santa Rosa, NM. They made their home in Yeso, Albuquerque and settled in Fort Sumner in 1953. Paulita worked as a cashier for Dave's Grocery in Fort Sumner for 25 years, she also worked 11 years as a cook in the Fort Sumner School cafeteria and as a cook for the Pecos Valley Care Center for 2 years. She retired in 1991. Paulita enjoyed tending to her garden, cooking, sewing, quilting, and caring for her grand babies. She was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner and for many years prepared and arranged the funeral meals for church members. She was a member of the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary. Paulita is preceded in death by her husband Jose Alberto Lopez Sr., on March 29, 2012, her father Jose Maria Garcia, mother Dolores Molina, an infant son Alberto Lopez Jr., and an infant brother Ernesto Garcia. Survivors include two daughters Stella Garcia and husband Larry of Abilene, TX, JoAnn (Ramon Lopez) Detrich of Fort Sumner, two sons Alberto "Beto" and wife Diane Lopez of Fort Sumner and Gilbert and wife Beverly Lopez of Portales, NM. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, two brothers Frank Garcia and wife Betty of Fort Sumner, Juan Garcia and wife Mary Agnes of Roswell, and a sister Irene Gallegos of Roswell, NM along with a host of other relatives and many friends. Rosary services will be held at 7:00 pm Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner, Mass will be celebrated from the church at 10:00 am Thursday, May 16, 2013 with Father Sotero A. Sena and Father Paul Nkumbi celebrants. Burial will follow at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Jayson Lopez, Randy Detrich, Jeremy Detrich, Nicholas Garcia, Johnathan Garcia, Michael Lopez, Charlie Lopez, Regino Zamora, and Pablo Zamora. Honorary bearers will be all her friends and family. Visitation hours will be Tuesday from 1pm to 6pm and Wednesday from 1pm to 5pm at the funeral home. The casket will be open one hour prior to the Rosary and Mass at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, New Mexico (575) 355-2311. To place an online tribute of sign the guestbook, please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com