Elias Ramos Sousa, 79, of Turlock passed away on Jan. 11, 2011, in Hughson.

He was born on Jan. 15, 1931 in Santa Barbara, Terceira, Azores.  He was a gardener for 20 years and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Turlock, Our Lady of Fatima of Turlock and past president of P.F.S.A. Council 152 of Hilmar.

He is survived by his wife, Maria Alice Sousa of Turlock; sons, Paul Jorge Sousa of Turlock and Carlos Manuel Sousa and his wife, Marie, of Modesto; daughter, Alice de Fatima Rentaria and her husband, Carlos, of Turlock; brothers, Elmiro Sousa of Argentina, Carlos Sousa of Santa Barbara, Joao Rocha of Tulare and Francisco Rocha of Modesto; sisters, Maria Legia Nunes of Hilmar, Paulina Gomes of Tulare and Maria T. Abreu of Hilmar; grandchildren, Michelle Alves, Roger de Sousa, Jennifer Strong, Kelly Greene, Melissa Denego and Stephine Sousa; and six great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 18 at Whitehurst, Norton & Dias Funeral Chapel, 286 West Main St., Turlock. A Rosary will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 18, also at Whitehurst, Norton & Dias Funeral Chapel. It will be officiated by Sister Christina Doona. A  Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 19 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1200 Lyons St., Turlock. It will be officiated by Father Luis Cordeiro. Burial will be at Turlock Memorial Park.

Services are under the direction of Whitehurst, Norton & Dias Funeral Service of Turlock, www.whitehurstnortondiasfunerals.com.