Our beautiful mom, Julia Revelez, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Nov. 11 surrounded by her family.
The first of four children, mom was born on April 10, 1915 in El Paso, Texas. Her family moved to Ventura County when she was a young child. Our mother was a homemaker. She raised eleven children with great patience and love. She was a hard worker with the spirit of a pioneer woman. Each Christmas, mom made 50 lbs. of tamales by herself until one by one we grew old enough to help her. She always cooked by taste: a little of this, a little of that, never a recipe in sight. Her grandchildren called her "the best grandmother". Mom spoiled them with cookies made especially to each child's liking. No raisins for this one, no walnuts for that one, each child with his own batch.
Mom had an amazing green thumb. She grew giant sized roses without Miracle-Gro. She started each day with a cup of her special brew of cinnamon coffee in one hand and the grocery store ads in the other. She enjoyed going anywhere her daughter took her. She never said "no" to a shopping trip. Mom favored the quarter slot machines in Laughlin. She took daily walks until well past the age of 90. She would walk by Rio Plaza Elementary School all the way to Santa Clara Chapel and back home again.
Our beloved mother, Julia Revelez, is survived by her daughters Angie Maria, Sally Nava (Frank), Rita Ruelas (Zeke), Gloria Carrillo (Licho), her step-daughters Jessie Majeno, Stella Rodriguez, Lupe Morales (Manuel); her sons Moses Vargas, Joe Revelez (Pauline), Nash Revelez, Selso Revelez Jr. (Frances), David Revelez (Char), and her step-son Fernando Revelez. She is also survived by her sister, Grace Pratt, daughter-in-law Irene Vargus and son-in-law Manuel Portillo. All reside in Ventura County, including many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Our mother was preceded in death by her husband, our father, Selso Revelez, her mother, Concha Sotelo, her brother, Peter Sotelo, her sister, Katie Lopez, her son Robert Vargus , her son-in-law, Bobby Maria, and her daughter, Dolores Portillo.
Viewing will take place from 1-5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at James Reardon Funeral Home on "A" St. in Oxnard. Rosary will be recited the same day at 7 p.m. at Santa Clara Chapel in El Rio. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Santa Clara Church on Third and "E" Streets in Oxnard. Graveside services will follow immediately at Santa Clara Cemetery on "H" Street. Julia's family would like to express our gratitude to Eloisa De Santiago Diaz for caring for our mom during the past year.
Arrangements under the direction of James A. Reardon-Payton Mortuary, Oxnard, CA.