Taft - Minerva (Minnie) Pena Salazar, 83, from Taft, Texas was called home on July 21, 2025 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on May 28, 1942, in Taft, Texas and was the daughter of Arturo Sr. and Francisca Pena.

Minerva worked for years as a social worker and loved helping those in need. Her passion for her community inspired her to volunteer and establish organizations such as “The Taft Bike Club” for kids. Her humility and drive led her to being the first Hispanic woman to receive the Taft Humanitarian Award in 1992, as quoted in The Corpus Christi Caller Times, “I’m not here to get recognition. I’m here to get results.”

She lived as a beacon of light in her community and was a devoted mother and grandmother. Her legacy of generosity and compassion will carry on in her community and in those whose lives she touched.

Minerva is survived by her three daughters: Velma Garcia (Ernest), Sylvia Martinez (Arnold) and Melissa Rodriguez (Cosme); 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and her siblings: Ruben Peña, Sr., David Peña (Rosa), Esther Peña (Saul), and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents: Arturo Sr. and Francisca Peña; her husband: Fidel “Wahoo” Salazar; her two sons: Fidel Salazar Jr. and Rene Salazar; and her siblings: Arturo Peña Jr., Odelia “Yaya” Peña, Hector Peña, Albert Peña and Estella P. Gonzales.

Visitation will begin Sunday, July 27, 2025, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Immaculate Conception Church, Taft. The Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be the same evening at the church beginning at 7:00 PM. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, July 28, 2025, 10:00 AM at the Immaculate Conception Church Taft, Texas. Burial will follow in Lamas Memorial Park Cemetery, Taft.

Guestbook available online at www.resthavenfunerals.com

Arrangements and care entrusted to Resthaven Funeral Home, Sinton.