Josefa "Josie" Hernandez De La Cruz passed away September 17, 2025 surrounded by most of her family, after hearing prayers that comforted her. She left her family peacefully, and amongst the collective sorrow of those who loved her. Family Directed Celebration of Life Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Union Congregational Church of Friona with Randa Reeve, officiating. Arrangements entrusted to HANSARD FAMILY Funeral Home of Friona.

Josie was born November 9, 1949 in Paducah, Texas to Anita and Rosario Hernandez.  She was the fifth child in a family of twelve children.  The family were hardworking migrant farm workers, unsung American heroes, whose labor produced abundant and affordable food for the nation. They crossed the country in every direction, doing what needed to be done on farms and orchards, all of them.

Josie spent her adult years mostly in this area, primarily in Bovina and later, Clovis.  She reared her own family here.  Josie is a Christian, loved the scriptures, and a well-used Bible is among her worldly possessions.  The love of her children could be found in her home, where the walls were covered with pictures of her kids, grandkids, their spouses, all ages, and any tabletop or shelf had more pictures, individual and groups.  She was a proud mama!

Her health began to fail her.  She spent the last part of her life enduring a cascade of indignities, from illness, painful hospitalizations, leaving old friends in Clovis, advancing age, gradual loss of independence, and often confided that she was ready to leave this earth for a better place.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Anita Renteria Hernandez, Rosario Hernandez; son Gabriel De La Cruz,  sisters Carmen Cerda and Santos Salinas, brothers Rosario Hernandez Jr and Juan Hernandez, daughter Yolanda De La Cruz, grandson Tommy Fuentes, great grandchildren Abigail Rodriguez, Isaac Madrigal.

Survivors are brothers, Rudy and Rene, of Portales, NM; Roy and Oscar of Hale Center,; sisters, Martha Montelongo of Elsa, TX, Juanita Plasentio and Linda Ortiz of Hale Center. Children, Blanca Estela Alexander (Robert) of Friona , Bernabe De La Cruz Jr. (Anna) of Bovina, Nancy Fuentes of Muleshoe, Marsha De La Cruz of San Antonio, Lauro De La Cruz (Elida) of Buda, TX,  Christopher De La Cruz (Amanda) of Amarillo, and Gabriela De La Cruz (Jesse) of Bovina. 22 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren.

You may send blessings to the family and sign the online guest book exclusively at: hansardfamily.com