Bertha Garcia Barajas

Bertha Garcia Barajas, 66 of Modesto, California passed away July 7, 2019. She was born in Potrero de Gómez (Zapotlán del Rey) Jalisco, Mexico on August 7,1952. She attended Miguel Hidalgo Jr. High school and completed the 8th grade. Her parents Jose and Marcelina Barajas came to the United States in the year 1971. She was survived by her (brothers) Miguel Barajas, Jose Conrado Barajas, Martin Barajas, Antonio Barajas, Rene Barajas (sisters) Estela Claros Barajas, Genoveva Barajas, Maria Dorles Estrada Barajas. She was the second oldest and a mother to her younger siblings. She worked in the cannery (Tri-Valley Growers Plant 7) for 47 years. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and had a passion for plants, cooking, yard sales, family, and her faith in God. She was survived by (son) Carlos Valdez (spouse Estela Valdez), (daughter) Ana Bertha Sandoval Valdez, (son) Miguel Angel “Kaki” Valdez (spouse Stephanie Valdez), (son) Alejandro “Alex” Valdez (spouse Marina Valdez). She was survived by her grandchildren Luis Angel Sandoval, Maui Sandoval, Ashley Ann Sandoval, Victoria Lopez Valdez, Elisabeth Marie Valdez, Melissa Angel Valdez, Moses Valdez, Marina Valdez, Viviana Estelita Valdez, Azaria Marcelina Valdez, Athena Carla Valdez, Vincent Alexander Valdez, and Tatiana Marina Valdez. She was not only a mother, but a father too. As a single mother, she was a proud woman who never asked for help but instead worked additional jobs to provide for her 4 children. She showed her children and grandchildren the values of respect, hard work, religion, and family. She was a warrior and a strong woman until her very last breath. “Nothing is given to you; you have to get up and work for it” and “wait until you have your own” are phrases that she used with her children that will always be engraved in our hearts.