Estela Villanueva

After a difficult battle with cancer, Estela Villanueva went to be with the Lord in August 16, 2021 with her husband and daughter holding her hands while reading Psalm 46 to her. Her passing was also witnessed by her sons and grandchildren via FaceTime. Mommy Estela laid out foundations, she paved paths, she built, she molded, she admonished, she chastised, she encouraged, she sang, she taught, she preached, she shared her faith, but above it all, SHE LOVED. She touched the lives of people near and far, in different countries, cities and continents. She was Mommy Estela, Auntie Telang, Ate Es, Ninang, Ma and Ate to many.

Born in Rizal, Philippines to Erasmo and Norberta Antonil. She was the youngest of six children. After graduating from Rizal High School she attended Bethel Bible Institute presently Bethel Bible College and graduated in the year 1965. In her senior year, she taught the Sunday School class for the deaf at Manila Bethel Temple. She pastored Kinagatan Gospel Church in Talim Island, Rizal after her graduation.

Estela and Carlito grew up as neighbors and in time fell in love. They wed and went on to be married for 53 years and had two children together. They later would also adopt a son. Estela was a strong and firm believer of Jesus who dedicated her life raising three children who love Jesus and music. Estela would also instill this love of Jesus in the lives of all her five grandchildren.

Estela helped her husband pastor a church (Calvary Temple) in Angeles City, Philippines. This work brought her to counsel, teach and encourage the wives of the pastors within the enormous and various extensions of Calvary Temple Church. Their work brought them from the Philippines to Valley Springs Church of Fresno, California in the spring of 2010. Estela, as in the Philippines, taught, counseled and encouraged many members in the Lord.

She leaves behind husband Carlito, daughter Joyce (Scott), sons Jason (Katherine) and Hernan, granddaughter Amanda, and grandsons AJ, Jairus, Caleb and James.

Viewing will be held at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home on August 27, 2021 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Celebration of life service will be held at the same place on August 28, 2021 at 2:00 pm.