Emilia Herrera

EMILIA NAJAR HERRERA, 89, of Roswell, NM went to be with our Lord on June 22, 2017 in Santa Fe, NM.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00am on Wednesday, June 28 at Ballard Funeral Home Chapel with Celebrant Douglas McGraw of Ballard Funeral Home officiating. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery.

Emilia was born in Roswell, NM to Francisco and Chonita Najar, on October 24, 1927, in her beloved neighborhood of Chihuahuita. She worked as a Laundry Room Employee for Sally Port Inn. She retired at the age of 65.

Words cannot express how deeply she was loved, and how she will be missed. She spent her life working hard and caring for her family, who was the center of her world. She immensely enjoyed hosting Sunday morning breakfasts. Her beautiful green eyes lit up with joy when loved ones would feast on her fabulous green chili.

Although their Matriarch has left this earth, her family will forever be grateful for all of her life's sacrifices and unconditional love. She was always there when she was needed. Nana (Gramma Nana) was truly cherished and loved by her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and sons and daughters-in-law, with each of whom she had a unique bond. Her very special nephews Jimmy, Ben, and niece Noemi would call her Tia Mommy.

For all who knew her, memories of her wit, humor and love will never fade away.

Emilia is preceded in death by her parents Francisco and Chonita Najar; her brothers Pion and Manuel Najar; and her sister Lala Najar.

Emilia is survived by her sons Paul Horton of Roswell, NM, and Lupe and wife Debbie Herrera of Cedar Crest, NM; daughters Dina Bonilla of Moreno Valley, CA, Maria Valenzuela, and Anna Garcia of Santa Fe, NM; brother Paco and wife Emma Dean Najar of Albuquerque, NM; nine grandchildren, including Lupe Herrera III of Carlsbad, NM whom she helped raise and considered her sixth child; many great-grandchildren and several beloved nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers are Lupe Herrera III, Paul Horton Jr., Robert Horton, Armando Valenzuela, Carlos Garcia, and Eddie Horton with honorary pallbearers Dina Wilford, Monica V-Storey, and Lisa Toya.

Rest your weary eyes, our "Ojos de Gato."

Those we love don't go away,
They walk beside us every day,
Unseen, unheard but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear.

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