Virginia Garcia Chavez, 80, passed away Thursday, September 22, 2011, at her home in Clovis, NM. She was born September 30, 1930, in Puerto De Luna to Candido and Agapita Garcia. She married Esmael Chavez on August 9, 1948, in Clovis, NM. She attended high school in Clovis and obtained a Masters Degree at ENMU in Education. She taught second and third grades for 30 years at La Casita. She loved teaching and always was teaching in her personal life. She loved to sew and made numerous quilts with her husband. She was forever positive and humble and she loved life and society. She was active in the Foster Grandparent Program and was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.
She is survived by her husband, Esmael Chavez of the home; two daughters, Christina Chavez and Jean Chavez; four sons, Christian (Nellie) Chavez, Max Chavez, Simon L. Chavez, and Paul (Norma) Chavez; twelve grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren; two sisters, Ida (Joe) Munoz and Rose (Charles) Peugh Garcia; three brothers, Joe (Delia) Garcia, Jesse (Valerie) Garcia, and Joe Campos.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Candido and Agapita Garcia; one brother, Steven Garcia, and one grandson, Cruz A. Gutierrez.
A Rosary will be recited on Sunday, September 25, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. at Steed-Todd Chapel, Clovis, NM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, September 26, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with Father Sotero Sena officiating. Burial will be 4:00 p.m. at El Calvario Cemetery in Puerto De Luna, NM. Pallbearers will be Christopher Chavez, Jason Chavez, Joe P Cordova, Jovanna Gutierrez, Marcel Gonzales, and Jeremy Garcia. Honorary Pallbearers will be Samuel James Aguirre and Alissah Gutierrez.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Steed-Todd Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 800 E. Manana Blvd., Clovis, NM 88101, (575) 763-5541. Visit www.steedtodd.com to sign the online guest register.