Reina "Chello" Gonzales

Reina “Chello” Gonzales Reina “Chello” Gonzales, 80 of Fort Sumner, NM passed away Monday, April 4, 2022 at her home with her family at bedside. She was born December 22, 1941 in Albuquerque, NM to the home of Manuel and Carmen Gallegos. She grew up in Albuquerque and attended Ernie Pyle High School. At the age of 16 she met Paul Gonzales, they made Fort Sumner their home the following year. Chello worked as a housekeeper for several Fort Sumner families. She shared and sold many of her famous tortillas. She worked for Sprout’s Café for many years. She loved her family and raised her own and many other “kids” and “grandkids” in the community, all of them knew her as “Mama Chello” and Chello Bear”. Chello enjoyed fishing in the Pecos River being with her family, church family, and hosting dinners. Chello is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Paul Gonzales, two brothers Albert Chavez and Henry Gallegos, a daughter Dee RomaNose in 2015, granddaughter Rachelle Willie in 2021, and a lifelong friend Eva Chavez in 2016. Survivors include daughters, Renee Gonzales of Fort Sumner, Betty Gonzales Terrell and husband Richard of Fort Sumner, Kelley Gallegos and husband Louie of Fort Sumner, a son Aaron Chavez of Fort Sumner, grandsons Derrick Terrell and wife Jackie of Fort Sumner, Caleb Terrell of Las Cruces, Cory Terrell of Fort Sumner, Malachi Lucero of Fort Sumner, Christopher Gallegos, Stephen Gallegos, Anthony Gallegos, granddaughters Angelina Lucero, Reyna Lucero, Haliana Lucero, and Krystal Gutierrez, and 5 great grandchildren. Other survivors include two brothers, Michael Chavez of Albuquerque, Jerry Chavez of Albuquerque, three sisters, her twin Dora Spivey of Stockton, CA, Rosie Gallegos of Albuquerque, and Gloria Varela and husband Ray of Albuquerque along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Visitation hours for family and friends will be held on Friday, April 8, 2022 from 1pm to 6pm at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, April 9, 2022 from The Church On The Hill in Fort Sumner, NM with Pastor Richard Terrell officiating. Interment will follow at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Derrick Terrell, Caleb Terrell, Aarron Chavez, Cory Terrell, Timothy Mascarenas, Anthony Gallegos, and J.B. Aragon. Honorary bearers will be all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 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 or sign the guest book go to www.chavezfuneralhome.com