Abelino Molina

Services are scheduled at 9:30 a.m. Monday, July 9, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church for Abelino Zapata Molina, Artesia, New Mexico.

Mr. Molina, 81, died Thursday, July 5, 2012 at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas.

Father Paul Murtagh SS.CC. will officiate at the services with burial at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Gregg Molina, Gabriel Molina, Richard Ray Molina, Benjamin Sanchez, Anthony Sanchez, Michael Gonzales, Johnathan Molina, and Alex Anez.

A rosary is also scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Our Lady of Grace Church. Visitation will be at Our Lady of Grace Church beginning at 4 p.m. Sunday.

Abelino was born June 11, 1931 in Lakewood, New Mexico the son of Teodoro Molina and Manuela Zapata Molina. He was a lifelong resident of Artesia.

On Feb. 23, 1958 he was married to Susan Chavez in Artesia, NM. She preceded him in death March 25, 2009.

He worked in maintenance for the Artesia Public Schools and was a Foster Grandparent with Head Start. He was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Cursillista, and an avid Bulldog Fan.

He was preceded death by his parents, infant son Jessie Molina, 3 brothers and 6 sisters.

Survivors include sons Richard Molina and wife Kandy of Artesia, Oscar Molina and wife Josie of Artesia, and Martin Molina of Artesia daughters Rita Gonzales and husband Jessie of Artesia, Ruth Sanchez of Artesia, and Terry Molina of Dallas, Texas brothers Manuel Molina of Artesia, Ben Mendoza of Santa Fe, NM, and Pete Gamino of San Bernadino, Calif. sister Francis Ramirez of Artesia 30 grandchildren, and 33 greatgrandchildren.