Bessie Perez

Bessie Perez, whom we know as our beautiful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, passed away on December 7, 2024. She lived a wonderful and fulfilling 93 years, leaving a legacy of love and cherished memories. Bessie wanted her life to be celebrated joyfully. Con muchos de colores! We are asking for family and friends to dress in bright colors to honor Bessie at her services.

Bessie was born in San Patricio, NM to Martin Lucero Sr. and Hilaria (Lozano) Lucero on April 27, 1931. She was raised in the San Patricio valley, surrounded by beautiful mountains, up until the family moved in 1941. Bessie would often tell her children and grandchildren stories of growing up with her mom and daddy in the mountains.

Bessie lived in Roswell, NM from 1941 to around 1966 when she married Joe Tafoya Perez and they moved to Portales, NM. While in Portales, she was a VISTA worker. She enjoyed helping the people of all walks of life and connecting them with resources they needed. Bessie was an advocate for the rights of Mexican/Hispanic children in public schools. In the early 1970’s, she actively participated in a case that was taken to the NM Supreme Court in which they ruled that the Portales Municipal Schools and other New Mexico Schools would have to include bilingual education. Bessie would often tell her family this story and she told it with so much pride. She would refer to it as the Chicano Movement. She got involved with this movement to protect her children and other Hispanic children in the schools at that time that were being discriminated against because of their race and ethnicity. 

Joe and Bessie then moved back to Roswell, NM in the late 1970’s and bought their family home on Bland Street. This is where they spent the rest of their lives raising their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Their home was known for being warm and welcoming. Anyone could go in without knocking and the door would always be open. There are many memories of her brothers, sisters, children, grandchildren, other family and her friends sitting at her kitchen table enjoying food and drinks. Their home was always filled with chisme, laughter, love, sometimes a little drama and music. Bessie loved to listen to her New Mexico Spanish music. 

Bessie was a devout catholic and was part of the St. John’s Catholic Church. She was in the Spanish Crusillo for 25 years. Bessie and the other Crusillo members would practice at her home and they filled it with live music during those years. Bessie was a loyal wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Bessie held many titles in her lifetime, but her greatest role was being a mother and grandmother. She made sure we were all taken care of and fed, no matter how little she had in her home. God always provided for her so she could provide for her family. Grandma Bessie was always there when we needed her the most, offering support, wisdom and an abundance of unconditional love. Grandma Bessie was always kind, forgiving and selfless. We will always love her and forever cherish her memory.

Those to cherish her memories are her children; Carlos Molina, Richard Aragon, Guadalupe Salinas, Yolanda Pinon, Rebecca Barela and stepdaughter, Dominga Perez. Her brothers and sister; Martin Lucero Jr. (Nena), Ignacio “Nacho” Lucero, and Margaret Lucero. Her brother-in-law Alex Ortega and sister-in-law, Elvira (Viro) Lucero. Her grandchildren; Cresencio “Chencho” Molina, Hilaria Aragon, Delia Casillas, April Jojola, Michelle Trujillo, Nikibra Aragon, Monica Molina, Ida Montano, Daniel Barela, Jacquelin Aragon, Devette Aragon, Manuel Ortiz, Isaac Molina, Lidio Aragon, Leroy Aragon Jr., Josue Nava, Carlos Nava, Destiny Ruiz, and David Perez. Bessie has many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She also has numerous family members and friends who will cherish her memory and legacy. 

Bessie is blessed to have the fifth generation of great-great grandchildren, fifteen times over. 

Bessie was welcomed to her eternal home by her loved ones who preceded her in death: Her parents, Martin and Hilaria Lucero. Her husband, Joe T. Perez. Her brothers and sisters; Lucilla Ortega, Jinio Lucero, Samuel “Sammy” Lucero, Susie Farmer, Connie Ornelas and Frank Lucero. Her children; Bernice Aragon and Leroy Aragon Sr. Her grandchildren; Levette Aragon, Brenda Aragon, Reina Aragon, Rudy Aragon and Martin Molina. Her son-in-law, Jesse Salinas and daughters-in-law, Elaine Aragon McCraw and Maria Molina.

Pallbearers are: Cresencio “Chencho” Molina, Isaac Molina, Daniel Barela, Leroy Aragon Jr., Jose Antonio Saucedo Jr., Joe Anthony Aragon-Standlee, Michael Oropesa and Anthony Oropesa. Honorary pallbearers are: All her great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, Dorthy Fuentez, Josie Salsberry, and Rufina Romero. 

The family would like to thank the many people throughout Bessie’s time here on earth that have loved her and helped her in any way. We truly appreciate all of you and what you did to make Bessie’s life brighter. 

Grandma Bessie, you are now flying high on the wings of angels!

A viewing will be held from 2:00 to 6:00 pm, Monday, December 16, 2024 at Ballard Funeral Home with a rosary to follow at 6:00 pm. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at St. John's Catholic Church. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery.