Berna Reyes

Berna Reyes, lovingly known as “Sweet Cheeks” by her family, passed away surrounded by her loved ones. She was born on June 8, 1947, in La Loma, New Mexico, to Vicente Montoya and Felia Lucero. On October 22, 1977, she married the love of her life, Felipe Reyes.

Berna was a woman of strong faith whose kindness, courage, and determination inspired everyone around her. She was caring, loving, helpful, and always willing to put others before herself. Her strength and unwavering devotion to her family will be remembered for generations to come.

She is survived by her daughters, Tricia Penaflor (Maurice), Tami Penaflor and Rachel Reyes; her brother, Sosteno Montoya (Cecilia); and her sisters, Adella Rocha and Cecilia Gutierrez and numerous nieces and nephews.

She leaves behind nine beloved grandchildren: Davon Caleb, Rai-Von Thomas (Mark), Ariel Penaflor, Tisha Hernandez (Heric), Santana Gunn, Mystique Penaflor, Andre Gunn, Walker Reyes, and DaQuan Evans.

She was also blessed with five cherished great-grandchildren: Desiree Thomas, Alejandro Gunn, Ayvah Gonzales, AyMarie Thomas, Kyrie Jackson, and Kyiah Thomas.

Berna is further survived by her godchildren, Christina De La Torre, DesiRae Vigil, Edmundo and Eduardo Herrera, and Robert Robago.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vicente Montoya and Felia Lucero; her brothers, John Montoya and Vicente Montoya; her sister, Anita Placencio; and numerous nephews.

Serving as pallbearers will be Davon Caleb, Andre Gunn, Walker Reyes, DaQuan Evans, Heric Hernandez, Ariel Penaflor,  and Maurice Caleb. Honorary pallbearers are Alejandro Gunn and Kyrie Jackson.

Berna’s family will forever remember her as a caring, loving, strong, faithful, determined, blessed, kind, brave, funny, and courageous woman. Her legacy of love, faith, and family will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her.