Virginia Barbara Rodriguez

Virginia Barbara Rodriguez was born on January 25, 1929, in Bakersfield, California, to Charles and Angie Castro. She passed away at her home at the age of 95 on July 15, 2024, with daughter Audrey and loyal pups Jasper and Cleo at home with her.

 Virginia was the youngest of 12 siblings, spending her childhood in what was then southwest Bakersfield as part of the pioneering Castro Family. Her father was a respected barbecue master and farmer and he and Angie eventually settled their brood at the “Ranch” - the family home - that sat on the southwest corner of White Lane and Hughes Lane until the late 1980’s when it was moved to Quantico Avenue after Angie’s passing.

 Virginia graduated from Kern County Union High School and married Henry “Hank” Rodriguez soon after. She and Henry raised three children, Paul, Audrey, and Sybil, settling in her home of 59 years on White Lane just a couple miles east of the Ranch. She remained a daily fixture at the Ranch as the unofficial “forewoman” where family gatherings were small or large, depending on the day and whether the family gathered at her brother Manuel’s Edison-area bar for a couple drinks. She was the primary caregiver for her mother Angie and in-laws Lola and Pete. After their passing she continued to provide daily assistance for many years to siblings and other family members as they aged. She shopped, cooked, cleaned, ran errands, drove loved ones to appointments, or simply on aimless excursions.

 Virginia was a loyal parishioner of St. Francis Catholic Church until the scourge of Covid halted her weekly Friday mass attendance. Fridays were also “salon” days where her loyal hairdresser Anthony would perfectly set her hair for the week (along with an occasional trim). She enjoyed watching westerns and Angels games, her home and life were orderly, her handwriting was small and elegant, and her record keeping was impeccable. Her trusty calendar logged appointments, phone calls from family, phone calls to family, birthdays, anniversaries, and a slew of other details that had meaning to her. 

 At the end of the day, her family and dogs meant the most to her (the dogs may have had the edge) and her love was unbounded. In later years she was perfectly happy toiling in the yard and cooking chicken for her beloved pups. 

 Virginia is preceded in death by husband Hank; parents Charles and Angie; daughter Sybil; son Paul; 11 siblings and their spouses, and many other beloved family members and friends. She was the last of her generation and leaves to mourn her passing daughter Audrey; grandson Matthew (Kris); grandson Marcus (Sara); grandson Nicholas (Joy); great-grandchildren Cameron, Jacob, Nathan, Virginia, and Serenity; and many wonderful extended family members, friends, and last, but certainly not least, her loyal dogs Cleo and Jasper.

 Graveside services for this amazing woman will be held Friday, August 9, 2024, at 12:30 pm at Hillcrest Memorial Park.