Frances Nieto

Mary Frances Nieto, 63 of Fort Sumner, NM passed away at her home Thursday, February 8, 2024. She was born in Fort Sumner April 19, 1960 to the home of Flavio and Josefina (Garcia) Nieto. Frances grew up in Fort Sumner, attended Fort Sumner Schools where she participated in band and sports including volleyball and basketball State Championship in 1977.  She graduated with the class of 1978. Frances attended Clovis Community College where she received an Associate Degree in Graphic Design. While living in Clovis, Frances participated in a softball baseball league.

Growing up in Fort Sumner, during her high school years, Frances worked for Dariland Drive Inn, she also volunteered with Fort Sumner Emergency Medical Services. Frances worked for Town & Country in Clovis, Dave’s Grocery and Valero in Fort Sumner and at Home Depot in Amarillo.

Frances was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Fort Sumner. She volunteered with the American Red Cross.

Frances, a loving mother spent her time with her family. She was very proud of all her children’s accomplishments and told them every time she spoke with them. She prayed daily for all her family members and friends.

Frances was an artist, she enjoyed painting, wood burning, pottery, and making jewelry. She loved the time she spent taking care of her grandkids. Her spare time was spent reading, photography, and being outside with nature.

Frances is preceded in death by her parents Flavio and Josefina Nieto, maternal grandparents Ezequiel and Victoriana Garcia, paternal grandparents Flavio and Eugenia Nieto, two brothers Victor Nieto and infant brother Anthony Nieto, four sisters Eva Salazar, Martha Casaus, Jane Sena, and infant sister Estella Nieto, two great nephews Joziah Gomez and Carlos Anastacio Sena III, and Rascal her fur dog baby.

Survivors include three children, two daughters Isabel Lucero (David Sandoval) of Clovis, Josephine Cones (Jason) of Fort Sumner, one son Tony Lucero (Victoria Torrez) of Gering, Nebraska, her godsons Daniel Sena of Albuquerque, and Derek Wertheim of Phoenix, five grandchildren Kayden Cones, Jazlyn Salazar-Lucero, David Sandoval III, Cody Redhorse, and Ziyen Huang. Also surviving is the father of her children Tony Lucero and his wife Ana of Clovis, NM along with five siblings, two brothers Orlando Nieto (Juanita Chavez) of Placitas, NM, Ernest Nieto (Lourdes) of Rio Rancho, three sisters Gloria Romero (Armando) of Albuquerque, Helen Sena (Anthony) of Espanola, Eugenia Casaus (George) of Albuquerque; an aunt Dolores Machucado (Emilio) of Albuquerque, aunt Tircia Garcia of Santa Rosa, and uncle Arcenio Garcia of Albuquerque. Others close to Frances are a friend she thought of as a daughter, Teresa Ramirez of Houston, TX and a close friend Robert Morris of Durango, CO along with a host of other relatives and friends.

Holy Rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm on Friday, February 23, 2024 from St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, February 24, 2024 followed by burial of cremains at St. Anthony Cemetery. Urn bearer will be her son, Tony Lucero. Honorary bearers will include Melton Saiz, David West, Carlos Sena Jr., Robert Morris, Kayden Cones, Jason Cones, David Sandoval, Victoria Torrez, Jazlyn Salazar-Lucero, Sara Stanfield, Maria Lucero, Marco Lucero, Brittney Gagnier, Lane Gagnier, Angelique Sena, Santana Casaus, and Tony and Ana Lucero.

Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (575) 355-2311.