Candi Gonzales

Candi Gonzales 53 lost her courageous, painful battle with Leukemia on Monday April 28, 2025, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. During this fight Candi stood up to the challenge with a smile and a thumbs up.

Candi was born in Socorro, New Mexico on October 11, 1971, at 7:30 pm to Charlie Benjamin and Jeanne Martinez. Little sister Heidi came along 3 years later.

While high school, Candi was a typical teenager. She loved loud music, big hair with Aqua net, ripped jeans and cut-up t-shirts and friends, Rachael and Lisa.

When Candi walked into the room, she lit it up! In high school Candi fell in love with Richie Gonzales. They later married and had two wonderful children, Shamari and Brandon.

Candi trained to become a certified nursing assistant and enjoyed that profession for over 20 years.

In 2013, after 25 years of marriage Candi lost Richie to heart failure.

Candi enjoyed shopping with her mom, gardening with her fiancé Rich, music and binge-watching Netflix with her dog Tuff.

Candi is survived by her dad, Charlie Benjamin (Barbara) mom, Jeanne Martinez, fiancé Rich Vocale, her children, daughter Shamari (Koshmen), son Brandon, stepdaughters, Hanna and Chastity (Raymond). Grand children, Richie, Savannah, Legend, Kosh, Landon, Curtis, Raymond and baby and many uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces.

Candi was predeceased by husband, Richie Gonzales, her sister, Heidi Welch, paternal grandparents Si and Anita Benjamin, Maternal Grandparents Bob and Ellen Wilburn and cousins Kacie Welty and Clint Benjamin.

A celebration of Candi’s life will be held at Faith Community Church located at 4895 W. Picacho Ave., Las Cruces, New Mexico on May 3, 2025, at 11:00 am with a reception to follow at the same location.