Obituary: Stella Lucero

The Rosary for Stella Lucero, 74, of Portales, will be recited at 7:00 PM, Tues., Sept. 5, 2023 at St. Helen Catholic Church. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Wed., Sept. 6, 2023 at St. Helen Catholic Church with Fr. Francisco Carbajal officiating. Burial will follow in the Portales Cemetery with David Lucero, Jr., Jason Lucero, Robert Lucero III, Joe Angel Pena, Arthur Villanueva, Steve Villanueva and Baby J. serving as pallbearers. All her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Stella Lucero was born Dec. 25, 1948, in Villanueva, NM to the home of Manuela "Mela" (Sena) and Alfonso Villanueva and passed from this life on Thurs., Aug. 31, 2023 in Fort Worth, TX. When she was 12 years old, the family came to Roosevelt County, and settled in the Arch community. Stella was a 1967 graduate of Portales High School. Her first job was working at Pat's Twin Cronies. She continued to work there for about 12 years. In later years, Stella was employed by Clovis Home Care as a caregiver. On Dec. 27, 1969 at St. Helen Catholic Church, she was married to David Lucero.

Family was extremely important to her, and all her life she enjoyed a very close bond with each of her siblings. For many years, she acted as a babysitter for numerous family members. After her son, Jason was born, he became her first priority. Stella was a dedicated Dallas Cowboys fan. She was an excellent cook, and really enjoyed various cooking shows. In addition, she faithfully watched the Fox News Network. Stella was a very straight forward lady, and you never had to wonder what she was thinking.

She is survived by David, her husband of almost 54 years of their home; her daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and Joe Angel Pena of Farwell, TX; two sons and a daughter-in-law, David Lucero, Jr. and his wife, Rachael of La Luz, NM and Jason Jay Lucero of the family home; five grandchildren, Leighanna , Keith and Kristen Cordova and Robert Lucero III and Lindsey Lucero; two great-grandchildren, that were the delight of her life, Jaisen and Ahmiya Cordova; two brothers, Arthur (Valene) Villanueva of West Jordan, UT and Steve (Sandra) Villanueva of Portales; six sisters, Josie (Tony, Sr.) Jaramillo of Edgewood, NM, Rosalie (Adam) Pacheco of Portales, Vickie (Danny) Gonzales of Portales, Corrine (Pat) Gonzales of Portales, Becky (Fabian) Lopez of Portales and Annette Salguero of Portales; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and other family members. Stella was preceded in death by both of her parents, two brothers, Pedro "Pete" Villanueva and Johnny Villanueva, two sisters, Dora and Jane Villanueva, a nephew Larry Jaramillo and by a great-niece, Amber Lopez.