Manuela "Nellie" Paz Gonzales

Manuela “Nellie” Paz Gonzales, 84, passed away Friday, November 19, 2021, at Carlsbad Medical Center. Nellie was born February 8, 1937, in Ojinaga, Mexico to Nicholas and Maria Paz.

Visitation is scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at Denton-Wood Funeral Home Chapel. The funeral service is scheduled for 12:00 PM Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at Landmark Baptist Church with Pastor Destry McDonald officiating. Interment will follow in Carlsbad Cemetery in Carlsbad, NM. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

She loved to sew and would make beautiful dresses for her daughters. Nellie always ironed her children’s clothes for church on Sunday. That’s one of the best things she gave them: guiding them to the Lord. Her faith means so much because that is what will help her family get through life without their parents. Her grandchildren will always know that she had so much love for them. Nellie loved to plant her garden and everything she planted grew so well.

Nellie was preceded in death by her father, Nicholas Paz; mother, Maria (Galindo) Paz; husband, Ruben Salsberry Gonzales; son, Porfirio “Sonny” Gonzales; four sisters: Elisa Ybarra, Hortencia Vasquez, Virginia Tarango, and Ernestina Morales; and two sons-in-law: Larry Yturralde and David Lara.

Nellie is survived by her 5 children: Anna Yturralde of Carlsbad, NM; Josie Elizondo and husband, Tommy of Trinidad, CO; Ruben Gonzales and wife, May of Carlsbad, NM; Evelyn Jaquez and husband, David Rodriguez of Carlsbad, NM; and Elsie Lara of Carlsbad, NM; 26 grandchildren; 53 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren; 5 siblings: Lica Hermosillo; Luis Paz and wife, Cira; Maryhelen Castillo; Jessie Paz and wife, Yolanda; and Linda Olivas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be: Ruben Gonzales, Anthony Gonzales, Steven Gonzales, Larry Yturralde, Sonny Yturralde, Gerard Jaquez, Lonnie Jaquez, Zach Eichwald, and Jose Medina. Honorary pallbearers will be: Michael Sing, Freddy Sing, Jamar Jaquez, Henry Salsberry, and Tomas Rojas.

To our mama:
We really want to say thank you with all our hearts for your love and for showing how to love each other, the patience you had when we made mistakes and the kind words you always used. You are our hero and the glue that kept us together. Thank you, God, for giving us the best mom and dad. We are so thankful that our Juliet is now with her Romeo!

Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com