Funeral services for Josephine Soto, 79, of Portales, will be at 2:00 PM, Wed., Mar. 28, 2018 at the Central Christian Church with Pastor Don Thomas officiating.
Josephine Soto, known to family and friends as “Fini” was born June 14, 1938 in Manhattan, NY to the home of Rafaela (Cruz) and Raguel Pizarro, and died Mar. 22, 2018 in Lubbock, TX. On Nov. 28, 1959 in Long Island, NY she was married to Nestor Soto. They made their home there until 1963, when they moved to Los Angeles, CA. Ms Soto was a dressmaker, but because she wanted to be at home with her children, the factory she worked for brought the materials to her home for her to sew.
She was an immaculate housekeeper, and a wonderful cook. Her home was always filled with people and lots of good Puerto Rican food. Ms Soto moved to Portales in 2008 to make her home with her daughter.
She and her husband loved to dance, and even organized dances and made arrangements for musicians for several clubs in Los Angeles. Through the years she had become acquainted with a number of celebrities. Josephine had a great sense of humor, and could always keep people laughing and enjoying themselves. She was a big fan of the Godfather movies, and enjoyed going to the casinos. Ms Soto was a very gentle and kindhearted lady, that was filled with wisdom.
She is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Debbie Soto and husband, Omar Clayton of Alhambra, CA and Raquel “Kelly” Worten of Portales; a son and daughter-in-law, Nestor and Maggie Soto of Ontario, CA; seven grandchildren, Sabrina, Seleste, Shianne and Shayne Soto, Alexis (Carlos) Leiva, Adrian Govea and Aaron Worten; a great-grandson, Brandon Leiva; and two sisters, Encledes Rodriguez of Las Vegas, NV and Ruth Roman of Long Island, NY. She was preceded in death by three brothers, George, William and Steve Pizarro, a sister Raquel Pizarro and by a grandson, Calvin Griffin who died July 25, 2004.
