Obituary of Viola De La Cruz

Viola De La Cruz, 80, of Lovington, NM, crossed the two rivers into the beautiful green pastures while surrounded by her family and friends on Monday, March 8, 2021 at her residence. Private family services will be held on Monday, March 15, 2021. The service will be livestream on Facebook.com at JacksonAveBaptistChurch. Viewing and visitation will be held on Sunday, March 14, 2021 at Kirby-Ratliff Funeral Home from 2:00 – 6:00 pm and all are welcome to attend. Please do wear your mask. Viola was born on November 25, 1940 in Alpine, Texas to Manuel and Rosa (Luna) Mancha. She grew up in Alpine and married Alberto De La Cruz in 1957 and came to Lovington to make their home. Viola was very family oriented and was a loving, kind, compassionate and supportive person who was always ready to greet you with a big hug and smile and made sure she hugged you upon leaving also. She was quite a collector of coca cola memorabilia and many other items that interested her. She was employed for many years at Jackson Ave Baptist Church and had also worked at various other jobs during the years. She had a strong faith and loved reading her Bible and going to church. She attended not only Jackson Ave Baptist Church but also Bethel Spanish Church. She was ready to pray for and with you and every person who touched her life was blessed by knowing her and her sweet spirit. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband; one brother: Sonny Mancha and two sisters: Mary Munoz and Debbie Vital. Surviving her are three sons: Albert De La Cruz and wife Mary, Bobby De La Cruz and wife Norma, David De La Cruz and companion, Lilly; five grandchildren: Monica and husband John Espinosa, Danny and wife Amanda De La Cruz, Jacob and wife Sabrina De La Cruz, Nathaniel and wife Sandra De La Cruz and Noah De La Cruz; eight great-grandchildren: Sophia, Sienna, Sebastian, Lucas, Aubreigh, Rowdy, Natalia and Nicolas and seven sisters: Celia, Sylvia, Dora, Delia, Ramona, Linda and Rebecca and a host of friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Mexico Baptist Children's Home, PO Box 629. Portales, NM 88130. Condolences may be sent to www.kirbysmithrogers.com.