Irene Chavarria was born in San Luis Del Cordero, Durango, Mexico on June 28th, 1891.

Ramon Lara was a young teenager when he ran away from his home in Mexico to live with his uncle whose name was Pedro Hernandez. Young Ramon adopted his uncle’s family name and thus became Ramon Hernandez.

In 1906, Irene and Ramon were married in Anson, Texas (Yes she was 15 years old at the time). His age is unknown. They moved to Snyder, Texas where their first son Jose was born. Their second child Francisca was born in San Angelo, Texas. The second son Gilberto was born in Clyde Texas. They then moved to Balinger Texas where their second daughter Antonia was born. Returning to Anson, they added their third son Gustavo. Their third daughter Aurelia (Lala) was born when they were living in Dallas Texas. Then they relocated to Abilene Texas where their fourth son Alfonso (Poncho) was born. Also born in Abilene were the fourth and fifth daughters, Esther and Sara.

After a couple of years the family moved and settled in Hanford California, in the San Joaquin Valley. Soon their sixth daughter Irene was born. They then moved to Brawley in the Imperial Valley and their seventh and last daughter Natalia was born. This completed the Hernandez family. Ramon, Irene and four sons and seven daughters.

Soon after they returned to the San Joaquin Valley and lived in Corcoran for a short period of time and from there they went to the Salinas Valley, living in Monterey for a few months and finally establishing permanent residence in Salinas some time in early 1942.

Ramon and Irene were founding members of La Primera Iglesia Bautista in Salinas where Ramon was ordained and served as a deacon until his death, December 5th, 1952. Two weeks before her 70th birthday, Irene fell victim to teminal cancer and passed away on June 14th, 1961.

At the time of her death, she was survived by three sons and seven daughters; Joe, Gilbert, Gus, Quica Austin, Tonia Rubio, Lala Carrillo, Esther Rivera, Sarah Villalovos, Irene Bustamante and Natalie Sanchez. Alfonso was killed in WWII and his widow later married Afredo Arredondo. Her daighters-in-law included Mary, Lila and Felipa Hernandez. Her son-in-laws were George Austin, Henry Rubio, Paul Carrillo, Val Rivera, Felix Villalovos, Ernest Bustamante and Ruben Sanchez. Also surving were 25 granddaughters and 17 grandsons; Sarah, Josephine and Marylou Hernandez; Raymond, George and Vicky Austin (Urueta); Gilbert Jr., Gloria, Rachel, David, Connie, Edward and Margarat Hernandez; Angie, Delia, Lily, Linda, Henrietta, Julie Rubio and Sally Gonzales; Mandy and Bobby Hernandez; Paul Jr., Patsy, Pamela and Irene Carrillo; Alfonso Jr. and Tony Arredondo; Val Jr., Benny and Raymond Rivera; Frances, Felix Jr., Becky and Steve Villalovos; Becky, Ernie Jr. and Robert Bustamante; Juanita, Cynthia, Kathy and Ruben Jr, Sanchez. The Sole surviving great grandchild was Ernie Hernandez.

Compiled by Rev. David Cuevas, June 16, 1961
Updated by Ernest Bustamante, August 24, 2002 and November 15, 2008