In the early hours of Wednesday, February 12, 2025, beloved matriarch, Inez Ornelas Diaz of King City passed away in the comfort of her home with family by her side.

One of nine children, Inez was born on May 19, 1931 in Merced, California to Rita Guzman and Encarnación Ornelas. After completing primary school, she left to care for her younger siblings and began a long career in agriculture. It was through her work in the fields of the Salinas Valley that she met Lauro Diaz, her husband of 61 years. They courted by passing notes, meeting for ice cream, and racing to pick strawberries until Inez eloped with Lauro in a Model-T Ford to Yuma, Arizona in June 1947.

Inez returned to build a fulfilling life with Lauro and his family in King City. While raising five children, Inez worked in bracero lodging, Maggio's carrot shed, and a bakery before securing a position at Basic Vegetable Products in King City. Inez worked at Basic from 1967-1993, earning distinction in her roles as inspector, floor lady, crew leader and forewoman. In retirement, Inez continued to find joy in working, completing over 1500 volunteer hours with the Mee Memorial Service League as well as serving with the Loaves & Fishes and USDA food banks.

While she found satisfaction at work and the friendships she created there, Inez's proudest accomplishment was her family. Her home in Pine Canyon was a gathering place where Inez loved hosting barbecues for her children and their spouses, as well as her 18 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren. Inez gave her family many happy memories of blowing out birthday candles at the dining table, hunting for Easter eggs in her beautiful backyard garden and eating tamales before opening presents around the fireplace on Christmas Eve.

Inez was the center of her family, and she never stopped showing them her strength and devotion. Her death follows that of her parents, her husband, Lauro Diaz, and her eight siblings. Inez is survived by her children Virginia (Yannis) Gelos, Lauro Diaz, Janet (Dan) Raquinio, Albert (Denise) Diaz, and David (Diana) Diaz, as well as all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A special heartfelt thank you to her grandson, Ronald Lockhart, who cared for Inez with love and compassion at home for over 3 years until her death.

The family will host a celebration of Inez's life at the DeAnza building in San Lorenzo Park on Saturday, May 17th at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Central Coast VNA & Hospice by calling 831-372-6668 or visiting ccvna.com/donate.

For more information, please contact Eddington Funeral Services, King City, (831) 385-5400, www.EFS-Cares.com .