Calistra Acosta Valenzuela passed away quietly at home with her family on Friday, June 24, 2022.Calistra was born in Fort Stockton, Texas, on April 22, 1921, to Lazaro Acosta and Miquela Salmon Acosta. 

Calistra grew up in Fort Stockton, and went to Fort Stockton Schools, along with her brothers and sisters Alberto, Beatrice, Juanita, Julio, Juliana, and Ricardo. Cali, as she was lovingly referred to by many, helped to care for her younger siblings when her mother was ill and passed away. Calistra’s father eventually remarried to Ursula. She then had two more sisters, Manuela and Maria, and one brother, Tino.

Calistra met the love of her life, Pablo Valenzuela. Pablo and Calistra were married when she was 17 years old. They were married for over 73 years when Pablo passed away, and he still was the love of her life when she went to join him. Together they built a good life with seven children, Ernestina “Tina” Hagy, Melba Ramos, Adelina Zammarrippa, Romelia Losoya, Pablo “Paul” Valenzuela, Jr., Emma Warne, and Ivy Villarreal.

During Calistra’s many years she was blessed with19 grandchildren, Ramon “Moni,” David, Jimmy Ray, Kim, Rae, Ralph, Ruben, Richard, Michael, Abel, Paul Albert, Joseph, Henry, Katherine, Paul, Justin, Adam, Amos, and Alix DaNae.

Calistra has 30 great grandchildren, Isabel, Jada, Roman, Samantha, Andrea, Lewis, Joelle, Ralph, Jessie, Tyler, Abel, Aleena, Aubrie, Aaron, Ava, Bella, Layla, Addy, Victoria, Alexander, Jacob, Benjamin, Juliana, Joseph, Dor, Olive, Wren, Scarlett, Ender, and JR.  The blessings just continued with three great great grandchildren, Annabel, Elias, and Bryson.

Calistra’s faith was always very strong, and she prayed daily for all of her family, friends, and anyone that she heard needed prayer. Many of us counted on those prayers, and we felt the love and prayers. Calistra especially enjoyed her quilting and gardening, but most of all she enjoyed her children and grandchildren. She will be missed.

Calistra Acosta Valenzuela’s Rosary was held at Heritage Funeral Home of the Big Bend in Fort Stockton on June 28, 2022. Her funeral was June 29, 2022, at Saint Joseph’s Church, and the burial followed the Catholic cemetery.