Ruth Montes Hernandez

Ruth Montes Hernandez, 77, of West Tansill Street, Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away April 10, 2011 at her home. Visitation will be 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. A Vigil is scheduled for Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 7:00 PM at San Jose Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Thursday, April 14, 2011, 10:00 AM, at San Jose Catholic Church with Fr. Valentine Jankowski, OFM, Conv. officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Gardens Memorial Park, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Ruth Montes Hernandez was born September 1, 1933 in Silver City, NM to Manuel Vigil and Antonia (Valencia) Montes. She graduated from Silver City High School in 1950. Ruth married Tom M. Hernandez on September 20, 1952 in Silver City, NM. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree and Masters in Elementary Education from ENMU - Portales. Ruth taught at Puckett, Hillcrest and Pate Elementary schools and also in the Headstart Program. She enjoyed cooking and crocheting, but most importantly being with her family. Ruth was a member of NEA and San Jose Catholic Church where she served as Eucharist minister. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Tom M. Hernandez; brothers: Joe Montes, Fred Montes, Ben Montes; sisters: Lucy Lucera and Leo Munoz. Survivors are three daughters: Mary Frances Cox of Carlsbad, NM, Patsy Grantner and husband, Jim of Carlsbad, NM, Gloria H. Lopez and husband, Louis of Carlsbad, NM; seven grandchildren: Judith Royal and husband, Lawrence, Thomas Cox and wife, Leanda, Tonia Galindo and husband, Robert, Michelle Trew and husband, Chris, Michael Molina and wife, Becky, Marvin Calderon, Cheyenne Calderon; 8 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Luciano Montes and wife, Yvonne of Deming, NM, Sam Montes of Deming, NM; 6 sisters: Louisa Martinez of Baird, NM, Epie Hernandez of Tucson, AZ, Nora Pena and husband, Daniel of Deming, NM, Evelyn Pino and husband, Dan of Silver City, NM, Mary Salazar of Tucson, AZ, Lydia Faber and husband, Harold of Trinidad, CO and numerous neices, nephews and extended family. Pallbearers will be David E. Rodriguez, Alfredo "Boy" Cota, George Villa, Louie Matta, Samuel "Sam" Montes and Luciano "Chano" Montes. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.