Zola L. Hernandez

Zola was born November 18, 1925 in Clemenceau, AZ. Family & friends were her passion in life! Zola was one of the few surviving grandchildren of James Thompson and Maggie James, the 1st pioneering family of Oak Creek Canyon. She was the youngest daughter of Albert Wesley Purtyman and Clara Ellen Thompson’s nine children. She had her family’s pioneering spirit and loved the Red Rocks of Sedona & Oak Creek Canyon. She never wanted to live anywhere else but Arizona!

In 1945, Zola met and married Peter Beltran Hernandez. They moved to the big city of Phoenix to start and raise their family of three children. Zola and Pete loved to dance at their favorite places; Riverside and the Calderon Ballrooms. Her family life was filled with fun vacations, camping, and fishing. Not many people know that Zola was not only a great mom, but she was also the President of the Orangewood School PTA, a Girl Scout Leader, and a #1 pie and rum cake maker. Nobody will ever forget her Taco Tuesdays!! After losing her husband in 1973, Zola expanded her horizons traveling to Europe, New Zealand, and great trips to Alaska.

She holds the record in our family for catching a 61.5 pound salmon. She was loved and will be forever missed. Cheers to MA ZOLA!!!

Zola was preceded in death by her loving husband, Peter Beltram Hernandez. She is survived by her children; Kaaron (Don) Campbell, Charles (Dee) Hernandez and Judy (Jack) Yeley, grandchildren; Marci, Aaron, Ryan, Jason, Tiffany, Christopher and Mosa, great grandchildren; Kyle, Justin, Alissa, Ebony, Chloe, Nolan, AJ, Faith Anne, Ashley, Danica and Mateo.

Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2016 from 10:30 – 11:30 at West Resthaven Funeral Home, with a gathering beginning at 10 am.

Family requests in lieu of flowers, please make donations in Zola’s honor to the Sedona Historical Society that was founded by her sister Laura Purtymun McBride. 735 N. Jordan Rd. Sedona, AZ 86336. 928-282-7038

A happy new home,

A new place to roam

With Pearly White Gates.

A place to stay with no worries,

Free from your troubles,

Free from your strife-

This place will keep you safe,

all day and all night.

Hummingbirds hum,

Blue birds sing,

Angels bow as they spread their wings.

We will love you until they stop

Doing these things.

By-Faith Anne Yeley