Celia Avalos, 76, of Sterling, died Sept. 15, 2009, in Sterling. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, with Vigil service and Rosary to follow. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, with the Rev. Robert L. Wedow officiating. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery.
She was born Oct. 15, 1932, to Marcos and Francisca (Ramirez) Sanchez in Durango, Mexico.
On Jan. 29, 1958, she married Felipe Avalos Sr. in Durango, Mexico.
Mrs. Avalos moved from Durango, Mexico, to Sterling, in 1979.
She was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church.
Mrs. Avalos is survived by her children, Hermelinda Ortiz, Guadalupe Avalos, Gloria Avalos, Irma Heredia, Socorro Avalos, Manuela Avalos, Felipe D. Avalos, Herminia Avalos and Celia Batrez; brothers and sisters, Ester Torres, Teresa Nevarez, Victor Sanchez, Francisco Sanchez, Pedro Pablo Sanchez, Maria Feliz Sanchez and Teresa Sanchez; daughter-in-law, Tammy Avalos-Futch; 34 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Felipe in 2003; son, Cruz in 1990; son-in-law, Manuel Urquidez in 1991; and sister, Paula.