Maria Del Carmen Gutierrez Barajas, 80 of Greenfield passed away on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at George L. Mee Memorial Hospital.

Carmen, as most of her friends knew her, was born on June 23, 1934 to Ramon Gutierrez Espinoza and Josefina Garcia Montiel.in La Manzanilla De La Paz, Jalisco, Mexico and was the oldest girl born in a family of six (6). She had two brothers, Jose and Antonio and three (3) sisters, Esther, Antonia and Lupe.

Carmen married on February 4, 1957 to Pedro Barajas Silva. They lived in La Manzanilla De La Paz for a few years, then Pedro set out to make a better life for the both of them by going to Texas. He later immigrated the family.

Carmen and Pedro had three (3) children – Martha Barajas – Paxton (Allen), Maria Barajas – Montes (Daniel) and Martin Barajas (Anita). Martha & Maria were both born in Mexico and Martin was born in Big Spring, Texas. They lived in Texas for a few years but had to move because they were not able to live their economically.

They moved to California in 1964. It was a difficult time for them because they only knew their compadres Manuel & Julia Lomeli who were Martin's Godparents that helped bring the family to California. The very first town they arrived in was Greenfield. They later moved to a camp in San Ardo called Campo Tejano where Pedro worked in agriculture working in anything he could. Sometimes food was about the only thing that they could afford, but they would never complain. They had it worse in Mexico. The kids never knew they were economically challenged. All they knew was they had fun playing outside and they had food to eat. Even though it was beans and tortillas.

Carmen enjoyed sewing, needle point and knitting as well as gardening. She loved to work in her garden. Carmen and Pedro loved to sing together. Pedro would play his guitar and Carmen would sing along with him. She had a strong voice.

Carmen and Pedro were blessed to have 9 grandchildren; Patricia Montes (deceased 11-02-1979), Olivia Montes (Jimmy Zuniga), Carlos Montes, Oscar Montes, Eric Paxton, Kevin Paxton (Sharon), Alexis Barajas-Castro (Andrew), Derick Barajas, (Sylvia Bustos), Aaron Barajas, (Christina Luna); 8 great-grandchildren, Denisia Zuniga, Elizabeth Paxton, Mathew & Amanda Castro, Destinee, Derick Jr. & Delylah Barajas and Aaron Barajas, Jr.

SERVICE INFORMATION:

A VISITATION will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, June 11th, 2015 at Eddington Funeral Services Chapel

A RECITATION OF THE ROSARY will be held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, June 11th, 2015 at Eddington Funeral Services.

A FUNERAL MASS is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Friday, June 12th, 2015 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. BURIAL will follow in Holy Trinity Cemetery.