Deogracia S. Cisneros

Deogracia “Chaparra” Saludado Cisneros passed away on Monday, September 13, 2021 at Sierra Medical Center in Porterville from COVID complications. Born in Mechoacanejo, Jalisco, Mexico in 1942, she came to Earlimart, California in 1957. She married Antonio Cisneros in 1964. Inspired to play guitar by her Mariachi father, Don Lencho Saludado and her loving mother, Doña Petra of Jalisco, MX. She was passionately in love with life and loved to sing; perhaps best remembered singing “Implorando Amor” to her husband. She guarded her records, hugged her turn table and wept to it. She is remembered for being a devout lover of classic Ranchera music, and would dance on the spot. Her master gardening skills produced many flowers, fruits and vegetables, which she freely gave away. In life, she was fiercely independent and an unapologetic defender of the down-trodden. Empathetic and unconditionally compassionate, she loved animals and was never short on hugs, happiness or humor. She was a legendary cook who relished a fresh pot of frijoles or frying up some Chile con Carne for her guests. She was the undisputed champion of homemade flour tortillas, and a principled campesina supporting the UFW. She was considered una “Guerrera” by all. Known by many names, Dora will always be our sister, prima, Madrina, Tia, Nana, ‘AMA, and our Chaparrita!! Deogracia is beloved by her Cisneros family and is survived by: Her children Martha and Ray Delgado, Lupie and Filiberto Lopez, and Librada and Manuel Flores. Her beloved grandchildren Jessica Casas and Katherine Delgado, Isaac Vega, Esteban Cisneros, Francisco and Priscila Martinez, and Chris, Aaron, Manuel Jr. and Alyssa Flores. Her Great-Grandchildren Alana Vega, Michael and Rosalie Casas, Dean Flores, Natalie, Maliyah, and Melina Zaragoza, and Madison, Hailey, Aden, and Christopher Martínez, and Matthew, Tomás, and Berniz Deogracia Cisneros. Her Saludado siblings Jose Refugio (RIP) and Maria Guillermina Saludado, Maria and Ralph Magaña, Antonia Reading, Francisco and Pilar Saludado, Petra and Armando Franco, Celia and Timothy Determan, Lupie and Frank Cavazos, and Socorro and Douglas Lapp. Her cousins Alfredo and Esther Saludado, Irene and David Ruiz, Juanita Saludado, Javier and Cecelia Cadena, Juan and Angelina Arambula, Juan and Marianne Cadena and many more. Her nephews and nieces Rodolfo Saludado, Luz Maria Tackett, Jaime Saludado, Maria Chavarín, and Lourdes Saludado, Emilio, Alejandro, and Julio Magaña, Arturo and Petra Reading, Cecilia Hidalgo, Elizabeth Ronald, and Mireya Villicaña, Juan Whyte, Celita Johnston, Rafael, Luke, Sara (RIP) and Lorenzo Determan, Felicidad Ramirez and Marita Contreras, Samantha and Andrew Lapp. Ofie Valdez, Esperanza Bravo, and Esperanza Nieto were also like family. You will be missed dearly. May you return to La Chaneja on stardust to tend to the cows that you loved as a little girl and travel to sacred flower gardens where loved ones and eternal sunshine await you. May God bless you in Heaven. Services: Viewing Thurs, Sept. 23, 5-9PM @ Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter, CA Mass Fri, Sept. 24, 8 AM @ St. Jude Church, Earlimart, CA Burial: Fri, Sept. 24, 9:30-10 AM in Delano, California.