A wake service will be held from 3:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at the Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel, 607 Kaigler Street, Oglethorpe, Georgia.
The funeral service will be conducted at 4:00 P.M., Thursday, August 16, 2018 at the Oglethorpe Funeral Chapel. The family will received family and friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Oglethorpe City Cemetery, Memorial Drive, Oglethorpe, Georgia.
This is a short story of Mrs. Saldaña, better known as Mrs. Lori, by her students and fellow staff members, or simply, Lori by the rest of us. Lori was a fun and wonderful spirit who is loved, is missed, and will always be cherished.
Lori’s story begins on September 8, 1981 in Americus, Sumter County, Georgia. She is the middle child to the late Juan Ramon Gonzales, Sr. and Antonia Perez. She lived most of her life in the small town of Oglethorpe, Georgia where she attended Macon County High School. Once a Dawg always a Dawg. From her teenage years until her last sunset on August 10, 2018 Macon County was home. Young Lori Ann met the love of her life, David P. Saldaña, whom she marries on July 17, 1997. They were blessed with three children; David Jr. (Pollo), Juan Manuel (JJ), and Jazeline Zenaida (Jazy).
She was a devoted teacher for nineteen years. Her day-to-day life consisted of assisting and helping others. Her focus was always the kids and their families. Whether it was the Dooly County Migrant Program children (SN: She was a Bobcat fan Monday – Thursday) or her very own sons, daughter, nieces, and nephews. It’s not work as long as you enjoy what you do for a living, and she loved it.
She was always on the GO, driven by the excitement she had for life. She was Super Mom/Super Tia (Aunt). She loves family time with her husband, siblings, cousins, and all of the kids. It didn’t matter it was movie night on the couch with the blankets and snacks, a cookout at the bro’s, dining out and shopping (yeah, try reserving a table for a party of 20 every time), a few poker games at the sister’s house, or a weekend getaway as long as her family was there. “We are making memories, “is what she’d always say.
She was known by many for her selfless acts and caring heart. For those of us fortunate to have known her well, she will always be remembered for her bright face, beautiful smile, her goofy laugh, kind gestures, and her bubbly character, “QUICK, let’s take a picture”, festive sweaters, and her famous homemade buñuelos and atole.
We Love You Lori, Rest Easy