Phyllis Ann Peña-Valdez of Safford passed away on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at the age of 70. Phyllis was born March 1, 1948 in Lafollette, Tennessee to Leonard Jordan & Gladys Young Jordan.
In 1949 the family moved to East Peoria, Illinois when Phyllis was about 2 years old and after her father, Leonard, completed Barber college, they moved to Melvin, IL. In 1955 the family moved again, this time to Sibley, IL when Phyllis was about 8 years old. Once again, feeling the need to move for work, the family packed up and moved to Loda, IL in the summer of 1957.
Being used to moving a lot, Phyllis and her children moved to Mesa, AZ where she met the love of her life, Joe Duran Peña-Valdez. They were married in Mesa on August 23, 1974. She loved adventure and was ready to pick up and go anytime. Many camping trips and trips to the ocean were always on the list of things to do, Phyllis loved seeing new places.
She loved poetry, gardening, being a homemaker and traveling with her husband and family. Phyllis had a wicked sense of humor, was an awesome mom and was very strong willed.
Phyllis leaves behind her children; Shelly Peña-Valdez (Filemon) Onsurez, Ben (Gussie) Peña, Kelsey (Daniel) Rojas, Rosanna Peña (Robert) Mooneyham, Mona Cortez, Joe (Barbara) Peña, Timothy Peña, Danielle (Jim) Cantrell and Paty (Tony) Twyman, her siblings Preston and Daniel Jordan and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews Aunts and Uncles and her pet Buddy-Joe.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Joe Peña-Valdez, her parents Leonard and Gladys Jordan and her son-in-law Jimmy Cortez.
A Reunion in Heaven party will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2019 starting at 5:00 p.m. at the FFF Clubhouse located at 871 Ceairra Linda in Safford. A dance will follow at 7:00 p.m.
Arrangements are under the direction of McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel & Gila Valley Crematory. Online condolences may be extended at www.caldwellfuneralchapel.com.
