Esther Valdez Galaviz

Esther was born on November 27, 1945 in San Luis Obispo, California to Rev. Jesus and Maria Valdez. She was the youngest of nine children. Her childhood years were spent in Oceano, California where her father was a pastor in the Apostolic Assembly Church. At the age of fourteen, she was baptized in the name of Jesus by Brother Reyes Coronado at a convention in San Jose, California.

In 1962, Esther moved to Ventura County with her siblings where they attended the Oxnard Apostolic Church. She graduated from Hueneme High School in 1963. In 1966, she married the love of her life, Richard Galaviz. The couple was blessed with two children, their daughter, Esther, in 1967, and their son, Richard, in1969.

Esther was devoted to her family; she was always there when she was needed. In their 45 years of marriage, Richard and Esther Galaviz served faithfully at the Oxnard Apostolic Church, the last 24 years as pastor and pastor's wife. Esther was a woman of faith. She loved the Lord with all of her heart, and she shared that love with everyone.

She will always be remembered for her encouraging words, her strength of character, and her quiet but noticeable presence. She had a way of looking at the positive side of any situation.

One of her favorite verses in the Bible was Philippians 4:8 which states, "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Esther was very gentle, caring, nurturing and trustworthy. She devoted much of her love, time and energy as a daycare giver to her grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and also to neighborhood children. Her heart and home were always open.

A little over a year ago, Esther lay to rest her beloved husband, Richard. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Jesus and Maria Valdez; and two of her siblings, Benjamin Valdez and Molly Juarez. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Esther and Quon Louey, and by her son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Sherri Galaviz. She was a proud Nana to Christian Louey, Nicholas, Rylee and Andrew Galaviz. She also leaves behind six siblings, Frances Valdez, Judy Garza, Dolores Avendano, Teofilo Valdez, Abraham Valdez and Sarah Juarez, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She will be dearly missed by her Oxnard Revival Center church family.

A viewing and memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively, on Friday, July 13, at the Saint Paul Baptist Church located at 1777 Statham Blvd in Oxnard. There will also be a funeral service at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 14, at the Oxnard Revival Center located at 2640 Alvarado St in Oxnard, followed by a graveside service at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of the Funeraria del Angel Conrad's & James Reardon in Oxnard.