Cruz H. Dillard

April 26, 1943 - December 21, 2021

Cruz H. Dillard, 78, went to be with our Lord on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, in Roswell, NM, at her family home where she wanted to be. Please take a moment and share a memory or kind thought with Cruz’s family at www.andersonbethany.com. On April 26, 1943, Cruz was born to Felipe and Fernanda Horton in Roswell, NM. She married the love of her life, Leo Dillard, on June 28, 1983, in Roswell, NM. Those left to carry on Cruz’s Heritage are her children: Phillip Navarette Sr. (Carmen), Martha Marshall (Robert), Carlos Ledesma, Mario Ledesma, Olga F. Silva (Cruz), Fernando Dillard (Crystal), all of Roswell, NM, Leo Jr. (Amy), of Stanford, Texas, and Kathy Woodard of Dallas, Texas; siblings: Adan Horton, Rose Hernandez, Juanita Rubio (Vicente), Fernanda Garcia (Mark) and Sally Chavez; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Cruz was preceded in death by her husband, Leo Dillard Sr; parents: Felipe and Fernanda Horton; children: Shirley Moore and Dorothy Stinnett; grandson, and Jonathan Paul Page Ledesma; siblings: Rosito Horton, Marylou Horton, Frances Horton, Kathyrn Horton, Augustine Horton and Nancy Garcia; sister-in-law, Rose Salazar Horton; brother-in-law, Avaristo “Buddy” Garcia; nephews: Angel (Anaya) Horton, Sam Garcia, Alexis (Anaya) Horton, Avaristo Garcia and Felipe Garcia; niece, Crystal Horton; as well as her great-nephew, Jeremiah Jaramillo. Cruz worked for the state as a social worker across from Albertsons Market on South Main Street. She loved her job and was very proud to be able to help others, that’s something she instilled in her children. Upon Cruz’s retirement, she pursued her clothing business talents by opening her own clothing store called El Paso Fashions, where some of her children would help work; her work ethic would be passed on. She also owned a Cleaning Service, and the majority of her children had to work alongside her. Working with local restaurants and doctor offices, Cruz kept herself busy. She instilled her work ethic in her children and the compassion to help others. These were her words, “and just don’t take their word for it, do your research and always find a way no matter what, be independent, be strong, never give up and always remember family,” that was our mother! Cruz’s hobbies and creativity include sewing, making jewelry, making flower arrangements for weddings and funerals, entertaining with family, traveling with her mom and sisters, and going to garage sales with her youngest brother. If there were any talk about going traveling, she’d hop right in to get away and go shopping while visiting family out of town. Cruz loved getting all her family together for the holidays and making them beautiful memories. She made sure Christmas was an event. Cruz would decorate her whole house, and it was always appreciated. In her younger years, She and her spouse and the family would enjoy visiting Stanford, Texas, for all the family events; they were the good old days, as she would say, BBQ’s out at the ranch were the best. Cruz made sure all her sisters and brothers attended with their families so everyone could have a good time. She also enjoyed and loved all her grandkids, great-grandkids and great-great-grandkids, and she was very blessed with so many. Her door was always open to all, family, friends, her kids’ friends, and grandkids’ friends, they would call her mom, grandma and would go hang out and attend holidays functions. They even had a nickname for her, “Big Perm,” her grandkids had a laugh on that, but that was their grandma just having fun. Other grandkids would help Cruz make her jewelry and sit up at the mall selling it. Well, she had enough grandkids to do all that she wanted to do. The youngest of great-great-grandkids would go visit her and run straight to her room to mumble something to get her out of bed, her smile on her face, and you could see the love for them, I’ll always remember it. Her grandchild would go help her on her last days to care for her. Thanks, kid. To our grandma, granny, we love you and will never forget you love all your grandchildren. To our mother, we will miss you dearly mom, thank you, for your love and dedication to us all. Mom, I’ve searched everywhere, but never did I find the comfort of your arms. You were one strong lady, and I admired that. Rest now, momma, love your sidekick, Olga. A Rosary will be held at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home on Thursday, January 20, 2022, at 9:30 AM, followed by a Funeral Service at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at South Park Cemetery. There will be a reception at the Eagles hall after the burial at 11:00 AM. Cruz’s tribute was written in her honor by her family.