Esther Segura

Esther Segura (Lopez) passed away peacefully at home and into the arms of Jesus on November 22nd 2025, in Roswell, New Mexico surrounded by her loving family.

Esther was born on April 23rd, 1939, in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, to Maximiliano Lopez and Gregorita Lily Griego. She attended Fort Sumner High School and graduated in 1957. She was a very proud Fort Sumner High Fox.

Esther married Luciano "Sonny" Segura, Jr. on July 19th, 1958, in Santa Rosa, New Mexico and was married for 66 years until his death in May 2025. In 1971, they moved to Roswell, New Mexico where they raised their seven children.

Since she was a little girl, Esther had a love of music and singing, earning her the nickname, "Songbird." As a teenager, she competed in talent shows, sang at county fairs and recorded music with Tiny Lynn and her sisters, The Lopez Sisters. In the 1980's, she was the lead singer for Grupo Estrella and Los Magnificos playing at numerous events and occasions throughout Southeastern New Mexico. Her rendition of "If I Could Only Learn to Yodel" became her signature song and always brought the house down. She loved all sports especially watching her favorite team the Dallas Cowboys play, as well as attending her grandchildren's sporting events to cheer them on.

Esther was no stranger to hard work. As a teen, she worked as a waitress, cleaned houses, and at the local newspaper in Fort Sumner, NM. As an adult, she found her true calling...care giving. In Roswell she did private care and eventually found her way to the Roswell Nursing Center in 1989 where her career as a CNA began. She was deeply loved by her residents who always requested her to sing for them and became a pivotal inspiration in the career of many women teaching them how to genuinely care for people from all walks of life. Esther remained there for the next 24 years and retired in 2013.

Shortly after her retirement, Esther was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. She never let this illness slow her down, even through her later years. She never once complained or allowed herself to become distraught about the limitations that this disease eventually caused. She always handled it with dignity and grace and humbly accepted the assistance that she had to have from her children.

Those left to eternally treasure and cherish memories of Esther are daughters Peggi Ann Rasco (husband David), Luciana Gonzales (husband Alex), Tessa Leah Franco (husband John), Gina Renee' Segura, and Anissa Joy Segura; sons Luciano "Chico" Segura III and Jeramy Scott Segura; ten grandchildren Wayne Erik Williams, Desiree Nicole NeuPhresh (husband Brandon), Manuel Christopher Carrillo (wife Alyssa), Vanessa Chanel Molina (husband Joe), Aaron Michael Rasco (wife Ashleigh), Warren Andre DiSean Hunter, ReBekka Aly'se Franco, Devin Christopher Lopez, Deja Monet Sanchez (husband Kris), and Jeremiah Ray Segura; sixteen great-grandchildren Josiah, Abigail, Caleb, Elisha, Naomi, Joel, Essence, Jules, Janiya, Andrea, J.J., Luciano, Sarah, Michael, Emuna and Jaivyn and one great-great-grandchild Kaira "Luci" Lucille; siblings Gertrude "Trudy" Preece, Rita Gallegos, Frances Potts (husband Tommy), Velen Anthony, Yolanda Knodle (husband Mark), Max Lopez, sister-in-law Sally Lopez and numerous nieces and nephews.

Esther is preceded in death by her husband Luciano "Sonny" Segura, Jr., her three children Virginia, Lydia, and Eric; parents Maximiliano and Gregorita Lily Lopez; siblings Isaac Lopez, Richard Lopez, Justo Lopez, Maria "Lala" Garcia and Betty Jo Montalvo.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Luciano "Chico" Segura, III, Jeramy Scott Segura, Manuel Christopher Carrillo, Warren Andre DiSean Hunter, Devin Christopher Lopez and Jeremiah Ray Segura.

Honored to serve as honorary pallbearers are Wayne Erik Williams, Desiree Nicole NeuPhresh, Aaron Michael Rasco, Vanessa Chanel Molina, ReBekka Aly'se Franco, Deja Monet Sanchez, David Rasco, John Manuel Franco, Alex Gonzales, Andre Hunter, and Kris Sanchez.

Our mom is at rest, singing in heaven with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We will miss you always but know that we will see you again.

The family would like to express their gratitude to all who have comforted them through this difficult time.

A viewing will be held at Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home, 2609 S. Main St. in Roswell, New Mexico on Monday December 8th, 2025 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. A funeral service will be held at Christ's Church, 2200 N. Sycamore in Roswell, New Mexico on Tuesday December 9th, 2025 at 1:00 PM. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery.

"Profess It."

You left on a morning that the sun was shining bright. I could feel the warmth of the sun on my skin, the air was cool, and it was so calm. As I sat on the tailgate of the truck I was thinking, "What a beautiful morning for you to go home." It was peaceful, even under these circumstances.

Grandma, you were my Patsy Cline, my Loretta Lynn. I still remember being so little and hearing you sing and yodeling along just as a Songbird. As the years have passed by, your voice began to weaken along with your body. We watched as you slowly began to slow down, but even through the best and worst days, those things never took away your zeal. We watched as the cage of wounds of this life grew around you. For so long it was taking away your peace, sound mind, and your rest.

The wounds of worries.

The wounds of the past.

The wounds of the weakened body.

The wounds that were silencing your voice.

The wounds that were stealing your peace.

The wounds of Parkinson's.

The enemy's schemes can never undo God's plans, and there is nothing in this world that has the final say.

The few of us saw the battle that you fought the last few weeks that you were here. It progressed and it was so sudden. This was something that no medication, no doctor, nor no human could fix.

But Jesus Christ.

And He did it all for you, and for us.

We witnessed the chains break, the cage finally broken free. I heard your cries and they turned into joy and peace.

My Songbird was finally Free!

I watched you no longer carry your own wounds of this life, but you leaned and trusted into the One and Only that could heal you. You found peace in Jesus's wounds.

"He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds you are healed." 1Peter 2:24

I miss your hello and goodbye hugs and kisses, your smile, and your wittiness. And yes, your homemade tortillas. I love you and until we meet again.

-Love, One of your many Hitas.