Leucaria "Lea" Venable Obituary (1930 - 2021)

Rosary for Leucaria "Lea" Baca Venable 91 of Grants, New Mexico will be held on Saturday-November 20, 2021-11:00 AM at Compassion Mortuary. Burial will follow at the Grants Memorial Park. Fr. John Paul will officiate. Lea was born on January 12, 1930 in the Village of San Mateo, New Mexico to parents Rafael Baca and Seferina "Gonzales" Baca and was the 2nd of 9 children. She passed away peacefully at her home on November 9, 2021 surrounded by family. When Lea was 15 years old her family moved to a home on Mountain Road in Grants, New Mexico. Lea graduated from Grants High School in 1948. In 1950 Lea met her husband, T. W. "Pete" Venable, while she was working at the Yucca Cafe. They had 4 children. Lea was widowed at the age of 53 and she never remarried. Lea was a small business owner first with her husband co-owning Pete's Garage and next on her own, as a widow, running Sierra Vista Daycare. Lea also worked as a cook for the Cibola County Schools District and Cibola General Hospital. Additionally, Lea was a accomplished home cook who always made sure no one went away from her home hungry. Lea was a devout Catholic and was active in her church, St. Teresa of Avila. She was a member of the Ultreya group and attended many retreats held in Glorietta, New Mexico. Lea volunteered daily at the Cibola Senior Citizens Center where she held positions on the center's advisory board and travelled extensively to represent Cibola County. Lea participated in the Senior Olympics and received many medals for her efforts. Lea was always involved with the senior Talent Show and went on to perform at the state level. She loved to dance and was quite an expert dance. She will be remembered most for her kind heart, loving ways, willingness to listen and lend a hand. and her problem-solving expertise. She never stayed angry and often told those who were mad or sad that they needed to "Get glad again." All those who knew and loved her are comforted in the knowledge that she is safe in Heaven in the arms of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. She is survived by her Sons: Billy Venable and wife Shirley, Gerry Venable and wife Donna, Adrian Venable and wife Joan; Daughter: Barbara Reynolds and companion Leroy Garcia all of Grants, New Mexico; Sisters: Sara Foyil of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Frances Hardman Williams of Heavener, Oklahoma; Brothers: Arsenio Baca of Poteau, Oklahoma, Edward Baca of Grants, New Mexico; Grandsons: Billy, Jay and Michael Venable; Granddaughters: Tanya Venable and Amy Williams and many great-Grandchildren, nieces, nephew and cousins. She is preceded in death by her Loving Husband; Parents; Grandsons: Jonathan Reynolds and Marc Venable; Brothers: Estevan Baca and Norman Baca; Sister: Clorinda Evans