Delores Pereira

Delores Pereira (GG to her grandkids and Tootsie to her family) passed away peacefully holding her cherished son-in-law’s (Jan Pyle of Turlock) hand on Monday, January 27, 2020. Delores was born Willie Delores McAlister on July 9, 1929 in Meridian, Mississippi. Her parents, Willie M. McAlister and Lydia B. McAlister, along with her sister Sarah Helen (Milton of Hanahan, South Carolina), made a happy and quiet life for themselves, always making sure family came first. At 13, the McAlister’s moved to Charleston, South Carolina where Delores excelled in school, earning herself many academic honors. Delores loved the theater, joining the Thespian Society and had such a gift of singing that she made her own record in 1943. After graduation, a young Navy sailor caught her eye, and in 1947, Delores became Mrs. Jimmie Eugene Mankins. The couple moved out west to California, and in 1949, Delores’ greatest and most dear role came to life when she gave birth to her first child, a daughter, Elizabeth Diane (Foster of Alameda). In 1952, another beautiful baby girl was born, Mary Catherine (Pyle of Turlock), and in 1960, when she had least expected it and to her pleasant surprise, Julie Ann (Segura of Santa Maria) was born and completed her trio of vivacious and strong women. Delores enjoyed her days as a homemaker, priding herself on her cooking, gardening and sewing, as well as managing to make wonderful childhood memories for her daughters on a budget. When the girls got older, she started to work at Bank of America, where she retired in 1985. In 1984, Delores met and married her true soulmate, Robert C. Pereira. They enjoyed a life together of traveling, bowling, watching sports (the Lakers and the Rams) and spending time with their grandchildren until Robert’s passing in 1990. Delores often spent time with her 3 grandchildren, Cambria (Pollinger of Turlock), Matt (Segura of Amarillo, Texas) and Chris (Segura of Walnut Creek). In 1997, Delores became “GG” when her first great-grandson was born, Brett (Pollinger, US NAVY, USS Roosevelt). In 1999, when her great-granddaughter Finley (Pollinger of Turlock) was born, Delores moved to Turlock, CA from Goosecreek, South Carolina to be closer to family. In 2006, another great-grandson, Drew (Pollinger of Turlock), was born. From an early age, right up until her passing, Delores had a great sense of humor, a touch of sarcasm, a splash of spunk and the loyalty and devotion that built the foundation of her family. She was a quiet warrior, strong in her faith, in her determination, in her support, in her word and in her commitment to her family and friends. Delores will be missed beyond measure. Services for Delores will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2020 at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd., Turlock, with a reception following at 10350 Balico Ave, Balico, CA.

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Delores Pereira

July 9, 1929 - January 27, 2020