Paula Estrada Esquibel, 94 of Blythe, California passed away October 10, 2022 peacefully surrounded by loved ones.

Paula was born to Juana Ruiz Estrada and Pablo Estrada on June 18, 1928 in Driscoll, Texas. Paula was the oldest of eleven children.

She married the love of her life Eugenio Esquibel on March 18, 1944 in Edinburg, Texas and of this union they had nine sons and seven daughters. Paula, Eugenio and 13 of their children lived in many towns in Texas as they worked doing farm labor.

The family lived on a farm which was approximately five to six miles from the site where the family worked. Paula drove her family there daily, driving their stick shift car. The drive should have only taken ten to fifteen minutes but, it took her an hour to get her children to the work location. If a vehicle was behind her, she would pull over to the side of the road and let it pass her. She would then get back on the road and continue her trip until they reached their destination.

Some of the jobs that she had were picking cotton, planting onion, picking carrots, picking peanuts and helping her husband with the irrigation of fields. She was also a very dedicated housewife and made tortillas three times a day, used her washboard to do laundry daily, raised chickens, and made her children clothes from the flour sacks.

Some of her hobbies were baking and sewing. The older children enjoyed the yellow cakes made from scratch, topped with Hershey's cocoa frosting and sweet potato or pumpkin empanadas. Another of the family favorites were her famous meatloaf, potatoes and not to forget her refried beans. Paula made it a point to make aprons by hand and give to many of her children and grandchildren. Many of her children also received gifts from her that were hand embroidered.

In 1966 the family moved to Orange Cove, California as her husband was offered a foreman position supervising a crew in picking oranges. Over the next couple of years Paula gave birth to her last three children, bringing her total to sixteen children.

As previously mentioned, Paula was a hard worker and did not stay behind, she too picked oranges to help make ends meet. Despite her having worked all day she would go home and fix meals for her children and would not go to bed until her kitchen was clean and things were in order for the next day.

Paula moved to Blythe in 1973 after suffering from a stroke, this kept her from being able to move her family back to Orange Cove. She then dedicated her life to raising the young children she had left at home as she was now separated from her husband. To make ends meet she would wash and press other peoples' clothes, make tortillas, and babysit.

On September 16, 1973 Paula became a member of the Apostolic Church of the Faith in Jesus Christ when she was baptized in the name of Jesus and faithfully served the Lord for 49 years. She was a great example to her family and friends. She was a very devoted member and was always ready to serve when asked. She made crafts and sold the items to raise funds for the Missionaries and the Flor Azul programs. She also made monetary donations to the Apostolic Camp in Prescott, Arizona to help with the remodeling and purchasing of things needed.

As a past time Paula could be found shopping with her children, coloring, watching television, sewing, and enjoying some of her favorite treats that were Pan Dulce, especially Marranitos or conchas. She also loved Hershey's chocolate bars and chocolate ice cream. Her children would spoil her by bringing her these treats when they would visit. We cannot forget to mention her love for In-N-Out burgers. Out of town trips were not complete until a trip was made to get a burger before heading home.

Her children will always remember the favorite foods that they were raised on and enjoyed eating her fresh homemade tortillas, refried beans, corn bread and fried chicken, fidelo with ground beef, and the breakfast specialties were arroz con leche, oatmeal, atole de harina and cream of wheat. And a dessert that they all very much enjoyed was the dulce de leche candy that she made on special occasions, it took hours to make but, it was worth the wait.

Paula is survived by her children Adela Hernandez, Daniel Esquibel, Don Esquibel, Eva DeLaCruz, Roger (Rachel) Esquibel, Oralia Esquibel, Gloria (Adolfo) Ramos, Frank (Noemi) Esquibel, Roy Esquibel, Sylvia Esquibel, Diana (Ramiro) Mendez, Irene Esquibel, Alex (Connie) Esquibel, Rudy Esquibel. Her siblings, Gloria Escobedo, Caridad Murillo, Maria Heredia, Mario Estrada, Raquel Estrada, and Gracie Rendon. 81 Grandchildren, 85 Great grandchildren and 14 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father Pablo Estrada, mother Juana Ruiz Estrada, her husband, Eugenio Esquibel, sons, Jose Angel "Barnie" Esquibel, Eugenio Esquibel Jr, son in law Jose Hernandez, daughter in law Rosa Esquibel, grandson Carlos Alberto DeLaCruz, and great-great grandson Jonathan Aparicio. Sisters Petra Aguinaga, Beatrice Torres, Socorro Rodriguez, and brother Felix Estrada.

Paula leaves a great void in everyone's heart but the family has the comfort in knowing that she is resting in the Lord and no longer suffering.

Services will be held on Sunday, October 23rd from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Blythe Central Seventh Day Adventist Church, 415 E. Barnard St. in Blythe.  Services will continue on Monday, October 24th beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the same location with burial following at Palo Verde Cemetery.