Lucy Barrios Hernandez
It is with great sadness that we inform you that we have lost a genuinely beautiful woman today, a never before seen combination of beauty and strength, a true original.
Lucy Barrios Hernandez passed away on Thursday, July 6, 2017 at the age of 88, at her home in Porterville, California.
Lucy was born on December 14, 1928 in Pasadena, California.
Lucy was the second oldest of 11 children born to her parents Severo Reyes Barrios and Josefa Rosales Barrios, who had migrated to California from Zacatecas, Mexico.
Lucy and her siblings lived, went to school and worked all around Southern California. After graduating from 8th grade at age 14, Lucy started working in the Cannery in San Pedro, where she told them she was 16 years old in order for them to hire her.
When she was 19, her parents moved the family and eventually settled down and established roots in Porterville.
When Lucy and her siblings arrived in Porterville the local residents thought that they were “Pachucos” due to their coming here from Orange County and more modern style of dress that the locals were not accustomed to.
In 1954, Lucy met and married Fermin Hernandez. They made their home in Porterville and they had 2 children together, Felix and Laura. After several years Fermin had to return to Mexico, leaving Lucy to care for the family on her own. Not an easy thing to do in the early 1960’s.
In August 1967, Lucy had a son, Frank who passed away later that year. In 1968 she had another son Edward.
Lucy worked at Stan’s Restaurant in Porterville before retiring in 1988.
Lucy loved her family, and filled her home with true friends, great food, and good music. She would always get up on Saturdays and turn her stereo all the way up with all types of music; Mariachi, Tropical, Oldies, Salsa and even Old School… she played it all! She was also a great dancer and loved to go dancing with family and friends, you couldn’t stop her!
Lucy always showed strength and resilience in the face of adversity and did her best to instill that in her children. She was also one of the most caring, thoughtful and respectful persons you could ever meet, but she was also not afraid to tell it like it is. If you knew Lucy, you knew the meaning of tough love. We will truly miss her…
Lucy is survived by a daughter, Laura Hernandez Ramirez of Porterville.
Two sons Felix Barrios Hernandez and Edward Barrios Arcos both of Porterville; 12 Grandchildren, 10 Great Grandchildren and 3 Great Great Grandchildren.
She is also survived by a sister Nora Balangue of Porterville and 6 brothers; Peter Barrios of Oregon and Nick, Cosme, Henry, Robert and Arnold Barrios all of Porterville.
She was preceded in death by a son Frank Amancio Arcos, her parents Severo and Josefa Barrios, her eldest sister Nellie Barrios, younger sister Mary Turnupseed and her youngest brother Sam Barrios who were all from Porterville.
Services will be held Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at Myers Funeral Home
Visitation from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Rosary at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, July 13, 2017 at St. Anne’s Church. Mass at 9:00 a.m. Followed by Internment at Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery