Maria Jesus “Chuy “Salinas, age 76, passed away on December 6, 2016 in Van Horn Texas. Chuy was born on September 11, 1940 in El Paso, Texas to Refugio and Margarita Ramirez. Chuy was a highly dedicated Dallas Cowboys fan, she loved watching the Cowboys surrounded by her friends and family, barbequing and drinking Budweiser beer. She loved to dance and liked playing dominoes and skippo. She loved living it up, she was a character, one day she told an Amtrak Train Conductor, that she was the Mayor of Sierra Blanca and got her and her daughter Imelda a train ride all the way to Alpine. Chuy’s last wish was to visit New Orleans; the family made the trip and showed her a great time. Chuy kept herself busy; she was part of the Chamber of Commerce; she was an EMS volunteer and worked for El Paso Electric from 1963 to 1965, then worked for the Hudspeth County Judge for over thirty years. She retired after a long and fulfilling career.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend; she will be truly missed by all. Chuy is survived by her husband Higinio Salinas Sr. of Sierra Blanca, her daughter Imelda Powell and her husband Jim of Sierra Blanca, her son Higinio Salinas Jr. of Sierra Blanca and one brother; Guadalupe J. Ramirez and his wife Christina of Sierra Blanca. Chuy was blessed with four grandchildren: Adriana, Vanessa, Travis and Zaven. A funeral mass was held on December 10, 2016 officiated by Father Antonio Martinez. The burial followed at the Sierra Blanca Cemetery. Pallbearers serving were: Thomas Baylor West, Ralph Perez, Manuel Morales, Julio Marta, Arvin West and Ismael Ramirez. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Heritage Funeral Home of Van Horn.
