Tonita Flores

Tonita Benavidez Flores

A rosary is scheduled for 7pm, Thursday, July 19, 2012 at St. Johns Catholic Church for Tonita B. Flores, 74, who passed away Monday, July 16, 2012 at Mission Arch Care Center. A funeral mass is scheduled for 10am, Friday, July 20, 2012 also at St. Johns Catholic Church with Father Juan Antonio Gutierrez officiating. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery.

Tonita was born July 29, 1937 in Hondo, New Mexico to Antonio Benavidez and Connie Hernandez. Her parents preceded her in death. She is also preceded in death by her father Fred Montes grandparents Candielario and Petra Benavidez, Miquela and Estaban Hernandez brothers Orlando and Antonio soninlaw Raul Robledo Jr. and her great grandson Arik. Tonita married Roy Flores on December 17, 1961 in Roswell.

Tonita is survived by her loving husband of fiftyone Roy Flores sons Roy Flores Jr. and wife Christine, Orlando Rosco Flores and wife Lisa and Joseph Flores daughters Linda Garcia and husband John, Jennifer Flores Debbie Luera and husband Charlie brothers Esky and wife Mary Lou and Gene and wife Kathy sisters Dolores Garza and husband Guidelo and Nadine Benavidez seventeen grandchildren, twentyone great grandchildren and two greatgreat grandchildren.

Tonita and her family moved to California in 1967 and returned to Roswell after retiring in 1994. She was active at Roosevelt Elementary School in Pomona, California for nine years. Tonita also volunteered a crossing guard to insure safety of elementary school children. She fostered sixtyfour children in seven years for the state of California.

Those to serve as pallbearers will be Joseph Flores, Roscoe Flores, Chance Robledo, Raul Robledo, Roy Flores III, Tim Fresquez and Mario Garcia. Honorary pallbearers Jesse Salsberry, Joseph Garcia, Richard Guajaca Jr., John Garcia, Patrick Lovato, Denny Bravo, Mark Flores, Thomas Flores, Esky Benavidez and Gene Benavidez.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory. An online registry can be accessed at www.ballardfuneralhome.com .

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home
910 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
8:00 am to 7:00 pm

Service

Rosary

St. Johns Catholic Church
506 S. Lincoln
Roswell, NM  88203
Thursday, July 19, 2012
7:00 pm

Funeral Mass

St. Johns Catholic Church
506 S. Lincoln
Roswell, NM  88203
Friday, July 20, 2012
10:00 am

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203