Evelia G. "Belia" Salazar

SAN JUAN/PHARR — Evelia “Belia” G. Salazar, 82, died Thursday, April 26, 2012, at her residence in Pharr.

Born and raised in San Juan, Mrs. Salazar had lived in Pharr for the past 23 years and was an active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish in San Juan. She was an auxiliary member of the Legion of Mary and a member of the Woodmen of the World Lodge 4155 of San Juan.

Belia dedicated her life to making a home for her husband and six children. She embraced the nurturing, mentoring and caring of her family and enjoyed all the home arts including sewing, cooking and gardening. She loved learning and was an avid reader; she led an active, healthy life and was a long-term volunteer at the San Juan Nursing Home. She was devoted to her Catholic faith and followed the Cursillo movement, living her retreat in 1976. She immediately began leadership school which prepared her for leadership presentations. In addition, she was a CCD teacher and Cub Scout den mother for many years.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Francisco and Maria Guerra; her stepmother, Paula Guerra; three brothers, Reynaldo, Ted and Fernando Guerra; two sisters, Francisca Torres and Beatriz Elizondo.

Mrs. Salazar is survived by her husband of 63 years, Carlos Salazar, of Pharr; six children, Chris (Jose) Reyes, of Edinburg, Carlos Javier Salazar, Nina Salazar, both of Mission, Amy (Pedro) Barrera, of Richmond, California, Jaime Salazar, Frank Salazar, both of San Juan; eight grandchildren, Patrick (Marvey) Willingham, Sarah Willingham, Steven Willingham, Teresa Barrera, Lucas Barrera, Mia Salazar, Carlos J. Salazar, Matthew Pena; three great-grandchildren, Isaac and Emma Willingham, Isabella Soto; three sisters, Raquel (Alfredo) Cantu, Rebecca Sandoval, Blanca Cantu, all of San Juan; two brothers, Ramiro (Idalia) Guerra, of Santa Clara, California, Orlando Guerra, of Carson City, Nevada; and three brothers-in-law, Santos (Elisa) Salazar, of San Juan, Ernesto Salazar, of San Jose, California, Oscar Elizondo, of Santa Clara, California.

The family offers sincere gratitude to Father Jerry Frank, Pastor Sylvia de la Garza, Chaplain Ruben Wong, the nursing and office staff of Amara Hospice, Dr. Hubert Smith, Dr. Noe Lopez, and Dr. Olga Olivares; St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish staff, choir and holy rosary group. Special thanks to her devoted caregivers, Angeles Contreras, Fatima Cabrera, Angie Contreras, Maria“Lulu” Santos, Angelica Rodriguez and the staff of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary today, April 29, 2012, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, April 30, 2012, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish in San Juan. Interment will follow at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr. Her three sons, Carlos, Jaime, Frank Salazar; two grandsons, Patrick and Steven Willingham; and her godson, Armando Sandoval will serve as pallbearers. Her grandson, Lucas Barrera will serve as honorary pallbearer.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish Building Fund.

Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.