Our lovely, precious Mother, Camerina Perez passed away on the morning of January 4, 2024.  She was 95 years and seven months young.

Camie was born in Lompoc on May 28, 1928.  She was the youngest of eight children born to Cornelio and Severa Ornelas.  The first 18 years of her life she lived at Surf Beach, her "hometown," where her father worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad as a night watchman.  Their family home was made of two boxcars that were converted into a living room, dining room, kitchen, and two bedrooms.  She started her education at Lynder School, it was a one-room country school located at the entrance of what is now the south entrance to Vandenberg Space Force Base.  She later attended Lompoc High School.  During WWII, at 15 years old she and her two older sisters were privileged to work for the United Service Organization on Surf Beach.  Her highlight of working there was when she was able to see Bob Hope perform for the troops at what was then called Camp Cook.

Camie met her husband Ray working together at the Lompoc Packing Shed.  They eloped in 1950 to San Luis Obispo. They were married for 58 years.

She was a stay-at-home mom until her sister and brother-in-law opened the original Tortilla Shop on A Street.  She started working there from the first day they opened.  She later worked at the El Zarape Café as a waitress for many happy years.  Then she moved across the street to work at Foster's Steak House.  After that, she worked at Birkholm's Bakery in Buellton, which she loved.  From there she went to work at Solvang Pebble People.  After Ray's retirement in 1990, they decided to move into their San Diego home which was purchased in 1980.

Camie loved to cook delicious meals for her family.  Everyone loved her salsa.  She loved to read, dance, listen to Mexican music, and most of all, care for her grandchildren. Cami was always ready for her next adventure. She would travel on the Pacific Surfliner Train back and forth from San Diego to Lompoc many times though out the years to visit and help make quesadillas at the Mexican Social Organization booth every year at the Lompoc Flower Festival.

Cami was kindhearted, and caring and would put others first.  She will be deeply missed by all who know her.

She is survived by her four children and their families; daughter, Evelyn (Fred), son, Ray (Gina), son Leonard, daughter Laura (Kenny), grandchildren Wentworth and Camerina, Hannah, Keisha, and Erika, Thomas and Jordann, and Daniella and Gisele; and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren.  Camie was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Maria Ornelas and Anna Vega, and her brothers Delfino and Socorro Ornelas.

The evening vigil will be on Tuesday, January 23, at 6 pm in the chapel of the Starbuck-Lind Mortuary. A funeral mass will be held at 1 pm on Wednesday, January 24, at La Purisima Church, followed by interment in the Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.