Pastora Juanita (Elda) Reyna Olivarez age 91 currently of Tolleson, Arizona (originally from Hereford,Texas) passed away on Thursday April the 2nd, 2026.
She was born on January the 26th 1935 in Goliad, Texas, to the late Adelia De Luna Reyna. At the age of 31,along with her (9) children she moved to Arizona in 1966. She worked various jobs including as a seamstress, this experience led her to own and operate a successful custom drapery business from 1970 well into the late 1980’s.
She met her late husband Wally Olivarez in church and had been married to him for 46 years! She received the calling to serve and ministry the word of the Lord in 1985.
She moved back to Hereford, Texas, to begin her ministry studies and once ordained she opened her first church in 1992 “The New Hope Church of the Nazarene” in Hereford, Texas.
She served in this church for many years but her Passion for the word and her strength in faith led her to open churches in Brownsville, Tx., Littlefield Tx., Cactus, Tx., Dumas, Tx., Casa Grand, Az., Maryvale, Az., always in areas that needed it the most but always overlooked.
She established and managed special programs for young people and children, including youth groups and campus ministries. She organized bible studies even in her own home. She coordinated community food and clothing drives and donations. She coordinated jail and prison ministries for both male and female inmates and assisted in their re-introduction to society and she ran a Christian Radio ministry for several years.
She expanded her ministry globally, working with missionaries in Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and other Latin American countries. She served in ministries and missionaries well into her late 80’s! She was known for her compassion, her passion for the word, her love for her congregation and her love for the Lord! But best known for her Hallelujah shout outs!!
She is proceed in death by her mother Adelia Reyna, brother Alfred Reyna, sister Cora Marquez, sister Cruzita Rodriguez, her daughter Elda Vaquera, her Son Joe Luis Rodriguez, great granddaughter Maya Romero and her husband Wally Olivarez.
She is survived by her children Susana Rodriguez (Az) Silvia Rodriguez (Ct.) Eddie Rodriguez (Az), Melinda Guerrero (Nm), Sandra Castillo (Az) Selma McCoy (Ok) and Tom Rodriguez (Tx). Her 21 Grandchildren, 31 Great Grandchildren and 3 Great, Great Grandchildren who knew her as Grandma Pastora! She is already greatly Missed!
A celebration of life service is Saturday, April 25 at 1 p.m. at Hereford New Hope Church of the Nazarene followed by a reception at Nazarene Family Church.
Donations may be made to Eddie Rodriguez.