Celia was born in Santa Clara on Dec. 18th, 1936, to Josephine and Jesus Garcia. She attended Central Elementary through the 8th grade. She liked to play Basketball and played center position for her team. She then attended Western High school through her junior year. She married Richard Lucero in July 24th 1954. She became a mother and housewife till 1962 she then went to work for Benny's Market Basket, then in 1965 she began her work for El Grito Headstart Program. Where she became Director of Health Services and worked in the program for approximately 25 yrs. She then went to work for Father Mike in the Santa Clara Catholic Church till she retired in 1996. Our Mother enjoyed Cooking for the Funeral Ministries and various church organizations, camping, picking pinons, crocheting blankets for her children, and going to the Casinos. She was the Center of our Family and will be missed immensely by us all.
She is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Richard P. Lucero of the family home; three sons, Michael S. Lucero and wife Anna of Silver City; Richard D. Lucero and husband Bill of Albuquerque; Michael Scott of Santa Clara; three daughters, Patricia Grogan of Las Cruces; Susy Sopiwnik and husband Ruben of Bayard; Audrey Moreno of Las Cruces; twenty grandchildren, thirty-one great grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren; one brother, Charlie Cordova and wife Dolores of Orange, CA; one sister, Susie Sedillos and husband Sam of Carson City, NV. She was preceded in death by her parents, one son, Baby Richard “Rick” Lucero; her granddaughter, Brandy Lynn Lucero (’91); one brother, Jesus Cordova; two sisters, Esperanza Leyba and Elizabeth Philpott.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 30th from 5-6pm at Terrazas Funeral Chapels with the holy rosary to commence at 6pm with Dr. Gilbert Arizaga reciting. The funeral mass will be Friday, July 1st at 11:30am at Santa Clara Catholic Church with Father Casmir Anozie officiating. Concluding service and interment will take place at Fort Bayard National Cemetery. Pallbearers are James Lucero, Austin Lucero, Andrew Lara, Nick Carrillo, Matthew Salas, Jarod Moreno, Joseph Flores, and James Overstreet. Honorary pallbearers will be the rest of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels.