Lera LaTrell Back, known to most as LaTrell, beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and a mother and grandmother figure to many, passed away Saturday morning, May 2, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She was born October 19, 1935, in Cumby, Texas.

Growing up, LaTrell spent time in Texas and on a farm in Oronogo, Missouri, outside Joplin, and attended high school in Carl Junction, Missouri. She met Stanley Earl Back in Carl Junction, and the two were married on December 10, 1951. For 61 years, they shared a home and family rooted in faith, hard work, and devotion to one another. After Stanley's service in the Navy, LaTrell and Stanley moved to Albuquerque in 1954, where they built their life and raised their family.

LaTrell was the devoted mother of 5: daughters, Evalyn (Blaine) and Dorinda (Wes); sons, Roy (Deanna), Barry (Karen), and Grady. She was also blessed with ten grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren, each of whom brought her great joy.

In addition to her children surviving her, she is survived by her sister, Lola Jones; and numerous nieces, nephews and their children.

Those who knew LaTrell knew she was faithful, strong, and fiercely loyal. Her presence was much larger than her frame, and everyone knew not to underestimate her -- especially when it came to the people she loved. She was content in homemaking, industrious in serving others, a diligent Christ follower, and a steady presence in the lives of those around her. She could be stern but fair, strong-willed and opinionated, ornery and funny, but always tenderhearted. She was practical, resourceful, and probably had an opinion about whether the Tupperware was microwave safe. She was protective of her own, quick to help the underdog, and generous with her time and resources.

Caring for people was at the center of LaTrell's life. From a young age, she was thrust into the role of caring for others, even helping to mother her own siblings, and that calling never really ended. If she was not caring for her own children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren, she cared for friends, neighbors, church families, or the many babies who passed through the church nursery. To many, she became another mother and grandmother, known lovingly as "Ma Back", "Grandma Back", "Grandma Trell" and sometimes you could hear a grandson say, "Oh, Lera".

LaTrell's "can do it all" attitude stayed with her until the very end. Whether caring for others, keeping her home running, or climbing ladders well into her 80s, she met life with determination, grit, and very little interest in being told she could not do something.

She was fierce, loyal, persevering, and always present. Beneath her stubborn streak was a servant's heart and a lifetime of love poured out for others.

Over the years, LaTrell worked as a cashier at Piggly Wiggly, served as a caregiver to seniors, and continually opened her heart and home to those in need. Whether through her family, her work, her church, or her home, LaTrell lived a life of quiet, faithful service.

LaTrell was a faithful member of Bella Vista Baptist Church, where she taught elementary-aged children and served lovingly in the nursery for more than 40 years. Generations of children were blessed by her patience, kindness, and steady love.

Though her family grieves her passing, they rejoice in knowing that she is no longer suffering and that the very instant she took her last breath here, she was welcomed into the arms of Jesus.

LaTrell was preceded in death by her parents, Husband Stanley; and siblings, Sonny Lucas, Lillian Carpenter and Joan Wilcox.

A celebration of LaTrell's life will be held Friday, May 15, 2026, at FRENCH - Lomas. Viewing will be from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., followed by a service from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A reception will follow from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., with cemetery services at 2:00 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Park. Please join the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in LaTrell's memory to the Alzheimer's Association.