Elva Mae Gonzales 78, of Lompoc "went to be with the Lord "as she peacefully passed with her family by her side on Sunday, August 31, 2014.

Elva was born on May 18, 1936 to Manuel and Suzanne (Becerra) Vargas born and raised in Lompoc where she met and married the "Love of her Life", Gilbert Gonzales.
She was employed as a cook at the El Zarape Café alongside and owned by her mother-in-law Amanda Gonzales for 14 years, then on to Lompoc District Hospital and Convalescent Care Center as a cook. After retiring, she was happiest as a homemaker where she loved cooking for her family and others. She also enjoyed doing crafts, gardening and corresponding with family and friends. She loved teaching and sharing the word of God to all her children and to anyone who would listen. She was known to many as a very kind and giving woman, always trying to encourage others and always seeing the positive in everyone. She was known to her grandchildren as "Grandma Boss".
She was preceded in death by her parents, Brothers Gilbert Vargas and Rudy Gomez, grandsons Billy Powers and Anthony Grimes and granddaughter Andrea Villereal.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years Gilbert Gonzales; 6 daughters Susie (Tom) Winn of Sherman Oaks, Debbie (Frank) Aguilar, Amanda (Joe) Grijalva of Lompoc, Cynthia Hernandez of Santa Maria, Patricia Reedy of Peoria, Arizona, Esperanza Gonzales of Lompoc and Son Ronald Gonzales of Lompoc; stepfather Rudy Gomes of Baldwin Park; sisters Mona Navarro of West Covina, Annette Gomez of Baldwin Park and stepsister Olivia Gomez of Compton; 20 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren.
Services will be Saturday, September 6, 2014 at Crossroads Community Church, 412 North B Street, Lompoc at 2:00 pm with a celebration of her life to follow.
Thank you to Dr. Cavallero and a special thank you to Assisted Hospice Care: Sue, Heather, Diane and Stacey for their loving care and gentleness shown to our mother and their wonderful support to our family.
God Bless You All!