Eva Llamas

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and cherished friend, Maria Eva Llamas (formerly Maria Eva Casillas Sodari), who departed this life on June 13, 2025, in Safford, Arizona, at the age of 85.
Known lovingly as Ma, Mom, Nana, and Tía, Maria Eva was born on January 4, 1940, in Esqueda, Sonora, Mexico, to Ernesto Casillas Beltran and Guadalupe Sodari. She spent her early life in Ascensión, Chihuahua, Mexico, where she worked as an elementary school teacher until 1965. That same year, she married the love of her life, Tony B. Llamas Jr., then relocated to the Llamas hometown of Morenci, Arizona, beginning a journey that would span decades of devotion to family and community.
Maria Eva lived in Morenci until 1984, then in Tempe until 1995, and finally settled in Safford, Arizona-where she found peace, purpose, and a true sense of home for the last 20 years of her life.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Tony in 1987, a loss she carried with quiet grace for the rest of her life. She never remarried, always keeping his memory close and lovingly preparing to one day reunite with him spiritually in Heaven and physically at St. Francis Cemetery in Phoenix, where her name has long been etched beside his.
She is survived by: her five devoted children, Brenda, Sergio, Joel, Ernesto, and Rosa, as well as 17 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren who were the joy of her heart; and her surviving sister, Aurelia. She was preceded in death by: her siblings, Aurora, Chelo, Lupe, Ernesto, Pancho, Jesus, and Ramon. She had countless nieces and nephews whom she loved as her own.
Maria Eva wore many hats over her lifetime: teacher, cook, Avon lady, farm worker, and, above all, a caregiver and babysitter. Whether working at Tempe School District or delivering food and supplies to relatives in the USA and Chihuahua, her generous spirit and relentless drive never wavered. She was a woman of deep faith, remarkable strength, and quiet leadership who inspired her family to pursue education, build careers, and live meaningful lives.
Her simple pleasures-family gatherings, riverside picnics, water aerobics at the Roadrunner Gym, and the laughter shared at her kitchen table-are now our cherished memories. Even through illness, she remained strong, prayerful, and surrounded by the love of her family.
Her humility, kindness, strength, and radiant smile will remain etched in our hearts. She leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and faith that will continue to guide and inspire generations to come.
Family will receive friends Thursday evening, June 26, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., at the Vining Funeral Home.
A Rosary and prayers will be offered Friday morning, June 27, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Eva will be celebrated Friday, June 27, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church by Rev. Nicodemus Shaghel.
Eva will be laid to rest with her husband, Tony, in the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, in Phoenix, on Saturday morning, June 28, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
Rest in peace, Mom, Nana, Tia. You will be forever missed-until we meet again.
"I love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved." - Psalm 18:1–3