BIOGRAPHY

Luera was born as Perfecta Rodriguez in Fort Davis, Texas, as one of seven children born to a field worker and a midwife. For days at a time, both her parents would be working, so she and her siblings would take care of themselves, with Luera doing household chores from the age of six. She had two sisters – Pascuala and Quiteria – and four brothers named Marcos, Enrique, Aguedo, and Merijildo.

Luera was validated by the GRG with a birth date of 16 June 1895, but numerous newspaper articles report that she claimed birth on 18 April 1895.

Luera married thrice, her first husband she married at 18. She witnessed the raids of Columbus by Pancho Villa in 1916. She had five children with her third husband, Lucio Luera, all of whom died in infancy.

In 1965, Luera moved to Roswell, New Mexico to be closer to her family. Originally living on the eastern side of the city, she relocated in a westerly direction due to the voluminous number of burglaries in her area.

Despite living in the United States for her entire life, Luera spoke little English, being a Spanish speaker. She was a devout Christian and spent mornings and evenings in prayer. As a 109-year-old, she read her Bible daily without glasses, and could still walk with the aid of family members. She seldom watched television, only doing so when the Pope was being shown.

Luera died on 23 July 2005 at the validated age of 110 years, 37 days.

Luera died on 23 July 2005 at the validated age of 110 years, 37 days.

RECOGNITION

Following the 16 April 2004 death of Mildred Chase, 110, Luera became New Mexico’s oldest known resident. Upon her own death, the title may have passed to 109-year-old Isabel Hesch (1895 – 2005).

Luera’s age was verified by Jeff Knight and validated by the GRG on 8 June 2006.

ATTRIBUTION

• Roswell Daily Record 10 May 1999
• Roswell Daily Record 20 April 2003
• Roswell Daily Record 1 August 2004
• Fort Davis-born woman recounts 109 years of life Pecos Enterprises, 30 September 2004
• Roswell Daily Record 27 June 2005
• Roswell Daily Record 23 July 2005 (Obituary)
• Perfecta Luera WeRemember

GALLERY