Simona B. Payanes

Simona B. Payanes, 102, of Irvin Street, Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away February 13, 2013 at her home. Visitation will be 2:00 PM - vigil, Friday, February 15, 2013 at San Jose Catholic Church, 1002 S. De Baca St. A vigil is scheduled for Friday, February 15, 2013, 7:30 PM at San Jose Catholic Church. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, February 16, 2013, 1:00 PM, at San Jose Catholic Church with Fr. Valentine Jankowski, OFM, Conv. officiating. Interment will follow in Santa Catarina, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Simona B. Payanes was born January 14, 1911 in Marathon, Texas to Francisco and Julianna (Garcia) Briseno. She moved to Carlsbad in 1935. Simona married Jose Rosario Payanes January 28, 1938 here in Carlsbad. After Jose's death in 1950, she worked very hard to raise her six children on her own. Simona had great faith and strength in our Lord which carried her through the difficult years. She worked for the Carlsbad Municipal Schools for many years in the cafeteria. Simona was an active member of San Jose Catholic Church where she served on the Alter Society and the Mother's Club at San Jose School. She was responsible for the pastry booth at the family fair over 40 years. Simona was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jose Rosario Payanes, Sr., four brothers and four sisters. Survivors are her sons: Francisco Payanes and wife, Sara of Rock Springs, TX, Reyes Arturo Payanes, Sr. of Carlsbad, NM, and Jose Rosorio Payanes, Jr. and wife, Linda, of Carlsbad; daughters: Carmen Castaneda of Carlsbad, NM, Julianna Stone and husband, Gary of Alburqueque, NM and Albina Sanchez of Carlsbad, NM; 22 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Pallbears will be Robert Sanchez, Omar Payanes, Gary Michael Stone, Frank Payanes, Michael Payanes and Frank Huereque, III. Honorary Pallbearers will be Stephen Stone, Richard Ancira, Chris Ancira, Reyes Arturo Payanes, Carlos Payanes and Jose Payanes. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.