Inez Castro Apr. 20, 1943 - Nov. 19, 2021
Inez was born in El Paso, Texas on April 20, 1943 to Clemente Almanza and Maria Valerio. She was one of ten children. She was very close to earning her high school diploma when she met Benjamin Orduno Castro. Inez was very excited to receive letters full of admiration from Benjamin and her heart grew strong for him. They married in less than 30 days on February 10, 1962. This shocked both sides of their families because Ben and Inez were both engaged to other people and the invitations had been sent out! They bought their first home in San Jose, CA and lived near Ben's family. In the late 70's, they moved to the central valley where Inez was closer to her family. Inez loved her siblings and their families and enjoyed attending their events. She had a beautiful singing voice and enjoyed sharing her talent at family events and sang often at church. She was bilingual and proud of her Mexican roots. If it was up to her, her children would have been fluent in Spanish. Inez gave birth to 13 children and was very proud of each of her children. She always encouraged her children to obtain a good education and settle down with a good family.
In 2006, at 63 years of age Inez went back to school and graduated with her high school diploma. She had a lifelong love of learning and was so grateful for the encouragement and support she received from the Administrators at Porterville Adult School, Bob Perez and Jorge Leos. On graduation night, she was the keynote speaker and shouted a big "Amen" into the microphone, always praising God for her achievements and blessings. Two years later in 2008, she went on to graduate from Porterville College (with her tenth child, Marisol) with an A.S in Health and Human Services and an Alcohol and Drug counseling certificate and was on the Dean's List. She wanted to pursue her B.A degree in counseling but instead devoted her time after graduation to her community and volunteered in several positions. She helped counsel battered women at the Family Crisis Center and the Porterville Pregnancy Center. She volunteered as a hospital Chaplain for Sierra View and a Foster grandparent for Porterville Developmental Center. Inez was very conservative and Pro-life. She always participated in the Annual Walk for Life and was featured in the Porterville Recorder praying for the unborn babies and their families. During the Trump presidential years, Inez was a firm supporter of the President and would contribute on her modest income and even made a homemade apron to send to the first lady, Melania Trump.
Charity was very important to Inez and she always strived to do more than what was asked of her. She was one of the first in Porterville to assemble Operation Christmas Child and assembled hundreds of shoeboxes with hygiene kits and candy. She also made sure to put a special little note in the boxes saying "Jesus loves you." Inez was very close to God and loved Jesus Christ with all of her heart. She was a long-time member of Porterville First Assembly of God. She enjoyed singing in the choir, with a few sisters and even solo. She sang beautifully and was brave, expressing very emotional performances, because she was so passionate about her love for her God and Savior.
In her most recent years, she joined SETCO, the women's republican club with her daughter, Marisol. She was a true patriot at heart and loved the United States of America. Inez was a talented seamstress also and her favorite signature item to make was aprons and blankets. She could also crochet and enjoyed making scarves and hats. In the early 90's she was part of a women's quilting club at her church and made a quilt for each one of her 13 children. Then in recent years she made a blanket for each of her grandchildren. Inez was a doting grandmother and loved her grandchildren dearly. Often, she babysat Marisol's daughter Monique while she worked and went to school. She was even there when Monique was born, playing a huge part in her birth. Inez loved to attend the events of her children and grandchildren. She supported her children in all of their goals and dreams. When the children got older, she desired to help her community and was a member of Kiwanis of Central Valley Literacy, reading to children at events in English and Spanish and volunteered to read to children during Spanish Storytime at the Porterville Public Library before it succumbed to a fire in early 2020.
Inez joined Porterville Art Association and was nominated to be the Feature Artist of the Month in September of 2021, displaying her aprons, pot holders, table runners, blankets and other homemade items. Unfortunately, her health was deteriorating and her and her family were not aware that she was not going to be able to fulfill this dream due to a short illness that would take her life in a few months.
The last 6 months of her life, Inez was cared for with great love and attention in the home of her daughter Amy and son-in law Andrew Chandler and family. She was visited by her husband, children, sisters, nieces, nephews, pastor and friends. Inez experienced great trials and tragedy as a child and as an adult, but she always testified that God was with her and would reach out to those less fortunate than her. Inez enjoyed being a Bell Ringer for The Salvation Army during the Christmas Season. She enjoyed praying over people no matter where they were. She always wanted people to feel special and appreciated and it was important to her that people knew that God loved them. Inez was a gifted writer and loved to read. She filled several notebooks with her life story. Eventually, she wanted to have them published and give one to each of her children.
On November 19 2021, Inez reunited with her oldest child, Benjamin Boyd Castro in Heaven, who passed away in 2019. He used to call her "Inez, your highness." She always called Boyd her protector and now they can enjoy the Heavens together. We know she is excited to be safe in the arms of her savior, Jesus Christ. Her talent, caring spirit, smile and hugs will be missed. A very special thank you to American Care Hospice for their strong commitment and support to our mother and family throughout this difficult time. They truly were angels on earth and guided us every step in this fragile process.
Inez is survived by her husband, Benjamin Castro Sr, and children: Diana Castro, Cat (Walt) Rutherford, Vivianne (Cory) Carlson, Amy (Andrew) Chandler, Jessica (Trace) Uptadel, Sally Castro, Joeray Castro, Gerard (Maclovia) Castro, Marisol (Royce) Orosco, Jesus (Meagen) Castro, Michael Castro, Daniella (Judah) Blumenthal and thirty grandchildren.
A public celebration of life will be held on Monday December 6, 2021 at 11:00 am at Porterville First Assembly of God-105 East Olive Ave. Porterville, California 93257.