Beatrice F. Zozaya was born on April 27, 1928 in Needles, California. She was the third of seven children born to Santiago and Isabel Flores. Due to limited opportunity in Needles, the Flores family lived a very poor life with Santiago working for the Santa Fe Railroad and Isabel as a Homemaker.
At the age of 13, the family was invited to a Baptism in Kingman, 60 miles away. It was there that she met Lionel George Zozaya, who was in town visiting his brother. For the next two years, Lionel would come to Needles to visit his brother and court Bea. On July 27, 1943 Lionel and Bea were married. Soon after they moved to Fresno for a better future. They welcomed their first child, Helen, in 1946. Shortly after, the tuberculosis epidemic hit and Bea was struck by the illness. Unlike many others, she survived. Bea worked a variety of jobs to help support the family. In 1954, her second daughter, Becky, was born and in 1956, Lionel George Zozaya Jr. was welcomed into the family.
Bea was always very motivated to work hard in order to have a nice life. When recalling her childhood, she once told her children that she “never wanted to be that poor again.” After the birth of her children, Bea was hired at Sun Maid Raisins in Kingsburg as a packer. She would go on to work there for 27 years before retiring as a Machine Operator at the age of 62. She and Lionel lived comfortably, but frugally. They were able to purchase land and build their first home in 1953. Bea had a very strong work ethic. With a limited education, she was a wise woman. She believed that if you wanted something, you had to work for it. Early on, she learned the value of a dollar and the importance of saving. Lionel and Bea Zozaya built a larger home in 1973 where they lived for the rest of their lives. Through the years, their family expanded to include 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. For many years they hosted Christmas Day for the whole family in their home with tamales and an array of Bea’s homemade baked goods. Her persimmon cookies and green jello were expected to be at every Christmas.
Bea loved to garden, crochet, embroider, and watch Telenovelas. She would spend time every day outside in her yard, even going out to water at the age of 93. She was proud to have the nicest yard on the block.
Bea was preceded in death by her husband Lionel George Zozaya, siblings Jovita, Cruz, Esther, Sara, and her granddaughter Laurie. She is survived by her siblings Anita and Chago, children Helen, Becky, and Lionel Jr.
Mom, we will miss you…until we meet again.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Beatrice's name can be made to St. Lucy's Catholic Church, 512 S 5th St, Fowler, CA 93625
