It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, Conception "Chonita" V. Ayala, 79, of Las Cruces on Sunday, August 16, 2009 at La Posada – Mesilla Valley Hospice. She was born October 10, 1929 in T or C to Vicente and Elijia Bernal Vargas. Mrs. Ayala was a homemaker and member of the Catholic Church.

Survivors include three sons, Alejandro V. Ayala and wife Rebecca, Manuel V. Ayala and wife Debra all of Las Cruces, Higinio Vargas and wife Christina of Socorro; a daughter, Mary Crume of Phoenix, Arizona. Other survivors include eight grandchildren, Jackie Jeannette Ayala and husband Justin, Kimberly Rae Brown and husband Richard, Manny Ayala, Jr. and wife Sophia, Johnny Jr., Victor, Bernadette and Dustin M. Castillo, and Brian Manlove; seventeen great grandchildren, Regina, Raymie, David, Steven, Clarita, Chris, Miguel, Vanessa, Selena, Bridgette, Alejandra, Laura, Adrian, Judy, Laura, Maria and Mario; a great great- grandson, Derrick Joseph Moore; numerous nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Saturnino Ayala; a daughter, Juanita Ayala; a brother, Raymundo Vargas and two nephews, Gene and Alex Vargas.

Visitation for Mrs. Ayala will begin at 6 pm on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 in Baca's Chapel of Prayer, 300 E. Boutz Road where the Prayer Vigil is scheduled for 7 pm. Family and friends of the family will join together to celebrate the funeral mass at 10 am Thursday, August 20, 2009 in Our Lady of Health Catholic Church, 1178 N. Mesquite Street. The Rite of Committal and Interment will follow in Masonic Cemetery where she will be laid to rest.

Serving as casket bearers will be Manuel Ayala, Jr., Bill Cogdale, Victor and Manny Lucero, Eddie and Manuel Vargas.