Velia Correa Estrada Obituary (1933

Velia Correa Estrada, 86, went to be with our Lord and Savior on May 7, 2019, surrounded by family and knowing how much she was loved by all of us. She was born in Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, Mexico on March 8, 1933 to Juan and Alejandra (Salazar) Correa. She married Benito Flores Estrada in 1950 and together they had eight children. Mom and dad moved their family from San Benito, Texas to the Yakima Valley in 1967. While dad went to work for Washington States Employment Security Department, Mom taught her children how to work hard in the fields and orchards to supplement their family income. When the first grandchild arrived, Mom (now Lela) stopped working and devoted the next several years to her grandchildren. Although Mom only had a 6th grade education, she raised and nurtured her children and grandchildren now social workers, educators, a doctor, a nurse, and hardworking individuals. While mom was timid about speaking English, she studied hard and earned her Certificate of Naturalization on June 12, 1998 and became a citizen of the United States of America. Clearly, Moms family were her passion and delight. She always enjoyed hosting her children and their families, especially on Sundays after church, and having everyone gathered around the kitchen table brought her the most joy. Mom would say, "Vengan a comer" and we gladly devoured her tacos, sopes, mole y arroz and more. She had a gift for making tamales, gorditas, tortillas and corazones her hands were rarely still. Mom was a devoted, long time member of Iglesia del Valle in Toppenish, Washington. She had a great love for God, His word, and could be heard frequently reading her bible late into the evening and in the early morning, long before sunrise, praying for family and friends. The condition of her bible is a testament to her faith - the pages are curled and brittle, the leather is long gone, and its original stitching is barely holding it together. Even now, handwritten verses and prayers are neatly tucked away between its pages. The family wishes to thank those who cared for her and showed her such tender love during her most difficult years: Genesis Reyes and Hospice caregivers, Belinda, Karen, and Shelby. She is survived by her brother, Pedro Manuel Salazar, and her children, Roberto (Elsa) Estrada, Guadalupe (Deborah) Estrada, Maria Teresa (George) Garcia, Raul (Alicia) Estrada, Sylvia (Gary) Giedra, and Ruben Estrada (RoseMary). Grandchildren include David, Lily, Daniel, Isaac, Andrea, Jacki, Stephanie, Michael, Ashley, Stephanie, Jesse, Araceli, Jonathan, and Tara. She is also survived by numerous great-grandchildren and was blessed with five great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 63 years, Benito Estrada, her son Bernardo Estrada, her daughter, Minerva Tijerina, two brothers and six sisters. A Memorial Service for family and friends will be held Friday, May 24, at 11:00 am, at the Iglesia del Valle Church (308 E. Toppenish Avenue, Toppenish, WA 98948). A private graveside service will be scheduled later. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Virginia Mason Memorial Hospice & Home Care Services in care of Brookside Funeral Home (PO Box 1267, Moxee, WA 98936) who is caring for the family. Memorial Service Iglesia de Valle Church Friday, May 24, 2019 11:00 AM 308 East Toppenish Avenue Toppenish, Washington 98948