Phyllis G. Barrera

Phyllis G Barrera (Grandma Felipa), a long-time resident of Roswell, New Mexico, passed away peacefully Saturday the 20th of June 2020, at Mission Arch Nursing Home. She was 102 years young. Please take a moment and share a kind thought or memory with Phyllis’ family at www.andersonbethany.com. SERVICES: A Graveside Service for Phyllis will be held at South Park Cemetery on Saturday, July 11, 2020, at 10:00 AM. Felipa was born in 1918, and she was the daughter of the late Selso Gonzales and Juanita Romero. She was the youngest of 6 siblings, Leo Alfredo, Andres, Henry (Enrique), Manuel, and Guadalupe, who are all together now. Grandma Felipa met her true love, Ramon Barrera, in 1951 and quickly married. They spent 60 wonderful years together before his passing in 2012. Together they built a life based around family and friends. Growing up, we would drive to Lake author on the weekends. The smell of fresh tortillas and tasting chili so hot you could barely eat it is a staple in my memory. Grandma Felipa always welcomed everyone as her own and made sure you left with a belly full of homecooked food. She was a feisty woman with a big heart. There is not a time that I cannot remember her not being playful or making you laugh. Even as Felipa was older and lived in the nursing home, she would touch my nose and say “boop” and giggle. On every visit, she would talk about her time at the Gomez Club and how she LOVED to dance. Her motto was, “Shake it don’t break it,” as she would shimmy her arms and hips side to side. Grandma Felipa loved doing puzzles and reading the newspaper with a cup of hot coffee in her past time. She reminded you to live life to the fullest and never take a minute for granted. The following quote reminds me of Felipa: Dance as though no one is watching, Love as though you have never been hurt, sing as though no one can hear you and Live as though heaven is on earth. SURVIVORS: Those left to cherish memories of Grandma Felipa are her daughters-in-law: Connie Gonzales and Natisha Curry; grandchildren: Raymond Gonzales, Michael Gonzales, Joe Gamboa, Robert Pineda, and MaryLou Pineda; great-grandkids: Crystal Gonzales, Angelica Gonzales, Michael Gonzales Jr., Desarae Gonzales, Polly Ann Gamboa, Josie York, Rosie Trevino, Delilah Gamboa, Leticia Davila, Priscilla Marquez, Frank Marquez Jr., Franky Barrera, Jessica Gonzales, Rebecca Gonzales, Donald Gonzales, Frankie Gonzales, Anna Carlton, Stacy Barrera, Tere Hernandez, and Brion Gamboa; and numerous great-great-grandkids. PRECEDED: Phyllis is preceded in death by her husband, Ramon Barrera; children: Cruzita Watson, Rosie Gonzales, and Leo’ Freddy” Gonzales; grandchildren: Johnny Gamboa, Tommy Gamboa, Tony Gamboa, Alfred Gonzales, and Donald Gonzales; great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Gamboa; and great-great-grandson, Bryan Choneska.

Phyllis G. Barrera

June 8, 1918 - June 20, 2020