Consuelo Chavez

3/29/1933 – 12/15/2024

EL PASO - Consuelo “Connie/Chelo” Chávez 3/29/1933 – 12/15/2024

El Paso – Consuelo “Connie/Chelo” Chávez was born in El Paso, Texas on March 29,1933 to Federico Salazar and Rosa Moreno Salazar. She joined her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 15, 2024. She is survived by her husband Norman and former State Representative Norma Chávez. She is survived by her all the family sisters Ofelia “Ofe” (Pablo Duran), and Eva Scott; brothers Sammy (Elisa), Fred (Elvira), and Godson Mark Salazar. And she is survived by brother-in-law Guillermo “Memo” (Alice) Rey, Sister-in-law Barbara (Ted) Cruz, Grac (Orlando) Chavez. She is preceded in death by her sisters Hortencia “Tencha” (Manuel) Reyes, Ruth (Danny) Lopez, brothers Roberto “Beto (Severiana "Chevie"), Federico “Lico” (Nellie), Francisco “Kiko” (Carolina "Caro"), Willie (Alma), Armando “Mando” (Joyce) Salazar, Gabriel "Chacho" Chávez (Yolanda), Dennis Chávez, beloved niece Ana Maria Chávez Gonzalez.

(She has numerous beloved nieces and nephews, and her beloved Granddogs, too many to mention. She was also a proud dog Mom to Rags #3, Grandma to Cantinflas, and many of her beloved dogs who preceded her in death.

She loved and had animals throughout her life including canaries, love-birds, a parrot, and turtles, and lovingly rescued dogs and helped nurse any bird that had fallen out of its nest.

Connie was a dedicated Christian woman of Godly character who loved the Lord and was inspired to read daily teachings of the Bible for spiritual growth, wisdom, inspiration, and insight. Before quitting school to help her mother with family finances, she attended San Jacinto Elementary and Bowie High School.

Connie developed a strong work ethic at an early age knowing it was required because she did not have a high school diploma. With her father gravely ill, brothers at war, sisters marrying or married, and younger siblings in school, she went into the workforce to help her beloved Mother without hesitation. She walked to the Popular Downtown to work in the layaway department, before beginning a civil service career at Ft. Bliss working in the laundry room. At 98 pounds she would wash and press the bases laundry needs, 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Her beloved mother made her 12 taqui¬tos every day for work lunch, and she was eager to eat again at dinner time.

Connie would later become a bookkeeper and a Services Supervisor at the Army and Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES), retiring after 30 years (1962-1992). Her duties varied but included bookkeeping for the base service stations. During her 30 years of service, she received 13 AAFES certificate awards including 8 Excellence Awards, 3 Service Awards, and 2 Proficiency Awards. She retired earning $7.60 an hour, her wages providing income for a home and raising her only child.

When her daughter went away to college at Angelo State University, Con¬nie took a second job to help with college expenses and worked part-time at JCPenney at Cielo Vista Mall. This made a 12-hour workday Mon¬day-Friday. Her greatest joy was when she graduated from University of Texas at Austin.

Upon AFFES retirement, Connie joined her husband and daughter in the next chapter of their lives as the “C” in NCN Texaco, a good old-fashioned full-service gas station. The Chávez would run the gas station for 15 years. Connie would serve as the backbone of the family-owned business as the station bookkeeper until she retired once again for the last time.

Connie was a fiercely loyal mother, wife, friend, sister, daughter, and employee. She loved making and sending cards, watching birds in the yard, gardening, and balancing her checkbook.

She loved sincerely and cherished her Christian family. She loved feeding her soul with bible studies. She hosted a prayer warrior group named “Yayas”, with a meal and a blank book to write all the prayer requests and pray. She loved the Belles for serving as prayer warriors for each other and others. She loved to share the “Warriors Prayer” – The Armor of God, based on Ephesians 6:13-18 because she believed in the armor of God as spiritual protection.

She will be missed by her beloved husband and daughter every day of their lives. Pallbearers: Mark Salazar, Paul Michael Duran, James Lopez, David Chavez, Mark Scott, Ricardo Salazar, Norman & Norma

Honorary Pallbearers: Raymond Salazar, James Salazar, Jodie Scott, Fred Salazar IV, Sylvia Rey Brehme, Dolores Rey Ramos, Rosie Rey Reponse, Armida Chávez Horning

A visitation for Consuelo will be held Tuesday, February 4, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Beth El Bible Church, 6440 Montana Ave., El Paso, TX 79925 with Celebration of Life Service begins at 6:00 PM. A Final Prayer Service Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 12:00 PM, 6440 Montana Ave., El Paso, TX 79925. A graveside service will occur Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 1:30 PM at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave, El Paso, TX 79906.

Consuelo Connie/Chelo Chávez