Obituary

Helana Seleste Rivas-Billie, 27, passed away unexpectedly Thursday April 6, 2023 at her home in La Junta. Helana was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska on August 23, 1995 to Linda Rivas of La Junta.

She was an amazing mother of four children, Arianna McConnell-Rivas, Nevaeh Rivas-Billie, Emanuel R. Billie and Lorenzo D. Billie. She loves spending time with her kids. Some of their favorite things to do where to go to the park and play go to Denver in to the aquarium in children’s museum. She worked at Walmart as a personal shopper until she decided to finish her criminal justice degree. Helana loved donuts and iced coffee along with her grandma’s food, one of her favorite dishes was smothered burritos with lots of chili. Helana loved, cooking and showing her kids about the things she would make.

She is survived by her mother, Linda Rivas of La Junta; children, Arianna McConnell-Rivas, Nevaeh Rivas-Billie, Emanuel Billie and Lorenzo Billie; sisters, Sierra Carrillo-Mendoza and Isabella Carrillo-Mendoza all of La Junta; step-dad, Jorge Carrillo-Mendoza of Rocky Ford; and grandmother, Oralia Rivas of La Junta. She is also survived by her uncles, Ruben (Joyce) Rivas; Roberto Rivas; and David Rivas; aunts, Frances Rivas and Rosa Rivas; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins also survive. Helena is preceded in death by her grandfather, Ruben Rivas; cousin Jarod Rivas; and Jayleianna Rivas-Trujillo.

A memorial graveside service will be held Monday, April 17, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Mountain View Cemetery in Manzanola, Colorado with Eric Baca officiating.

Online condolences may be made at www.peacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.