Pompella Hernandez Saldana

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Long time Burley resident, Pompella H. Saldana passed away peacefully at home and returned to her Heavenly Father on Sunday, February 28, 2021.
Born on January 6, 1935 to Tomas Barrientos Hernandez and Rosario (Rosa) Virgen Hernandez in Del Rio, Texas. Her siblings were Valencia Renovato, Tomas Hernandez, Dionico Hernandez, Francisco Hernandez, and Ruben V. Gutierrez. 
She spent her young life in Del Rio, Texas with her mother, step-father, Leonard F. Guiterrez and siblings. As a young child of migrant workers she worked along side her family in the fields and orchards throughout the western United States. It was in an orchard where she met her future husband.
On December 28, 1949 she married Saul Chapa Saldana in Del Rio, Texas. Their family would grow to include Saul Jr., Sylvia, Richard, Ruben, Jamie, Jamie Daniel, and an unnamed stillborn daughter. 
Prior residences for the family include: Casa Grande, Arizona - Uvalde, Texas - Imperial, California.
Pompella was a hard worker, fantastic cook, a good and dependable friend, adopted mother by many of her children’s friends, and most importantly a prayer warrior.
Pompella’s greatest pride were her children and providing them (and any friend(s) that followed them home) with excellent home cooked meals and snacks.
Her children’s friends knew they were part of this clan when they no longer had to knock before entering the Saldana home and started calling her “mom”. This blessing from the matriarch was a “rite of passage” and would soon be followed by them asking, “What smells so good?”  
She instilled into her children the importance of spiritual understanding and strength, moral values, respect for others especially the "elders", a strong work ethic, and the importance of helping those in need.
When her first four children had all started school, she went to work at Ore-Ida Burley, Idaho and would later retire from there at the age of 71.
After her husband became an ordained minister for the First Assembly of God Church she often accompanied him to religious events. While Saul performed hundreds of marriage ceremonies, christenings, baptisms, and funerals in the Mini-Cassia area.
Together, they started churches in Aberdeen, Glenns Ferry and Paul, Idaho. From those three churches another five have now been built and owe their existence in part, do to Pompella and Saul’s hard work.
Over the years Pompella was actively involved in the spiritual and physical needs of the community. She was a member of the Mountain View Christian Church, volunteered at the Mountain View Christian Center Food Pantry, and a member of the Ore-Ida Pep Team. 
Pompella was an extraordinary woman who set the example of perseverance in the face of overwhelming adversity. She rose to whatever challenge was placed in her path with a tenacious faith that God would help keep her strong.
Pompella is survived by her daughter Sylvia (Charles) Tracy, sons Richard, Ruben, Jamie, and Jamie Daniel (Vee). Brother Ruben V. Guiterrez of Del Rio, Texas. Eleven grandchildren: Iesha, Jason, Takisha, Pamala, Anastasia, Kyra, Danny, Sharlene, Miya, Nolen, and Oceana.
Pompella was preceded in death by her parents, stepfather, brothers Tomas, Francisco, Dionico, and sister Valencia, husband Saul, son Saul Jr., and grand daughter Ayasha Saldana,   
She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. However, we know she has finally returned home to her heavenly Father, a destination she worked all her life to attain. 
 
In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the Mountain View Food Pantry, Burley, Idaho in Pompella’s memory.
Funeral service will be held on Friday, July 2, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Hansen Mortuary, 710 6th Street, Rupert, Idaho. 
 

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