OBITUARIES

Rod Goodsell

64, Holtville

Gloria Rada

80, Brawley

Manuela Sanchez de Valdez

82, Brawley

GLORIA RADA

Nov. 4, 1940 - Jan. 22, 2021

Gloria Rada, 80 of Brawley passed peacefully on January 22, 2021.

She was born Glorianna Anderson on November 4, 1 940 in Westmorland, CA where she lived with her mom, sister and three brothers until she married her 1st husband Enos Clayton. They l ived in Brawley and raised their three children together. She worked as a waitress for many years at several Brawley restaurants: Armando’s, The South Gate and The Adobe. She was good at her job. She was a tough little thing who moved with lightening speed. She had quite a sassy personality. She could be stubborn but was quick to smile and laugh, even at herself. She also had no problem giving you a piece of her mind if necessary.

Years later, she met the love of her life Merl Rada while managing the local bar in Holtville, CA. They married and moved to Colorado for his job. They t raveled back and forth from C olorado to California before finally retiring in Imperial Valley. T hey were a m atch made in heaven. She loved him with all her heart.They couldn’t stand to be apart so God called her home so he wouldn’t have to be alone.

She will be remembered as a good and caring mother who made the best Chicken and Dumplings and fried hamburger tacos. She was also a loving fun “Nani” to her grandkids and great grandkids. She loved to watch and play with them. They h ad so much fun with her when they were y oung. She loved babies and surprises but wasn’t too fond of sunrises. She was one of a kind who genuinely loved her family, friends, pets and of course her evening cocktail. H er family and friends will sincerely miss her straightforward, unapologetic honesty and unconditional love. She left us with many happy and some crazy memories for sure.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Merl Rada in 2019 and by her grandson, Laryn Chase Clayton in 2018. Previously by her mother and siblings.

She is survived by h er sons, Danny (Janet) Clayton and Mark ( Lydia) Clayton and daughter, Nicki (Dan) Eugenio; grandsons, Steven (Jay) Eugenio, Mason Clayton and Banyan Clayton. granddaughters, Kelly (Aaron) Knight, Morgan (Doran) Farar, C amry (Jessie) T ucker, Kazlee Eugenio, Delaney and Donovan Clayton. She left behind a legacy of 1 9 beautiful great- grandchildren. Also, her dearest and loving cousins, Ida Mae Cummings and June Freeman who meant the world to her.

A special thank you to her caregivers Jessica Salazar and Rose Alsip and A & A Cottage View assisted living for their care and support.

A celebration of life will be held in her memory at a later date.

MANUELA ALICIA SANCHEZ DE VALDEZ

Oct. 10, 1938 - Jan. 10, 2021

Manuela Alicia Sanchez de Valdez, 82, of Brawley passed away on January 10, 2021 of a terminal Illness peacefully at home in Brawley.

She was born on October 10, 1938 in Ci u d a d Obregon, Sonora.

Manuela was preceded in death by her husband, Macario Valdez Jr.; siblings, Luis, Jesus, Angel, Leonor, Emma, Dora, Francisco and Rosa Amelia.

She is survived by her daughters, Maria Eugenia Sanchez, Maria Guadalupe Valdez, (Gabriel Mondragon), Olga Erika Leon, (Jose Luis Leon) and Alma G. Padilla grandson, Victor Padilla; son, Hugo F . Valdez (Yadira Valdez) of Brawley, CA; 12 grandchildren, 18 g reat- grandchildren and 2 great- great- grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Monday, February 22, 2021 at 6 p .m. at F rye Chapel & Mortuary , 799 Brawley Ave, B rawley, CA. Service will be held on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at St. Margaret Mary Church i n Brawley and will be officiated by F ather Ed. Burial will follow at 11 a.m. a t Riverview Cemetery, 4700 Hovley Rd, Brawley, CA.

RODNEY GOODSELL

Apr. 26, 1956 - Dec. 22, 2020

Rod Goodsell, 64, took his tender heart and talented hands around the final turn toward the home stretch on December 22, 2020. His dad Mel Goodsell waved the checkered flag as he crossed the finish line into heaven.

Rodney Melton Goodsell was born on April 26, 1956 in Jacksonville, Arkansas, the first child o f Melton and Peggy Goodsell. The family grew until Rod eventually had four brothers and two sisters. Rodney attended Holtville schools, g raduating from Holtville High School i n 1974. He b ecame an excellent mechanic working for various employers through the years including a long stint at his father’s side working for Agri- Cool, Inc. Following that time, he worked for many years at Valley Harvesting and Packing in Heber. Rod was most recently employed at RDO Equipment Co. in Imperial at the time of his death.

From a very young age, Rodney could twist wrenches with the best of them. He built and rebuilt various off- road and fast- track machines for himself and many others. He also excelled behind the wheel of racing vehicles. He was a local stock car champion at the Imperial Raceway.

Rod and David Marini achieved notable success together in t he 2 - 1600 class at many off- road events including first place finishes at both the Mint 400 and a shortened Baja 1000 which moved to Barstow in 1984. Rodney married his high school sweetheart Judy Smith in 1974. The couple made their home in Holtville for all these years. He leaves behind three sons: Nathan ( Jennifer), Shelby (Heidi), Kyle (Debra), and eight grandchildren who will dearly miss their desert outings with grandpa. Rod was preceded in death by h is brother Glen Goodsell and his father Melton Goodsell. Memorial services will be announced at a later time.