Clovis Funeral Chapel

Alcaraz Ambriz, Maria Isabel, 76, Porterville, May 5, Myers Funeral Service and Crematory Blake, George, 79, Reedley, May 5, Cairns Funeral Home Blasingame, Joyce Marie, 75, Madera, May 5, Affordable Direct Cremations Bowie , James Monfort, 98, Fresno, May 3, Neptune Society of Central California Brandt, Elroy D., 87, Fresno, April 15, Farewell Funeral Service Palm Bluffs Brown, Alfred, 88, Fresno, May 5, Clovis Funeral Chapel Budai, Claire Margaret, 90, Fresno, May 5, Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home Bunrasa, Noothin, 89, Fresno, May 1, Chapel of the Light Funeral Home Burriel, Margarita, 89, Fresno, May 3, Boice Funeral Home Castellano, Ray J., 74, Clovis, May 2, Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home Choate, Walter David, 88, Porterville, May 3, Myers Funeral Service and Crematory ...

Zach Darrah stood in the meeting hall of the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno and smiled the biggest smile.“I mean, we’re a Christian organization,” Darrah said of Fresno Interdenominational Christian Ministries, which he serves as executive director. “And they’re a Muslim organization. And we don’t have to hide that.  Here we are sharing a beautiful night of friendship together.”The Spirit of Abraham Awards are given to people and organizations who significantly enhance interfaith cooperation and the understanding of Islam and Muslims in the central San Joaquin Valley.Darrah’s organization, commonly known as FIRM, was one of two recipients of this year’s Spirit of Abraham Awards.  The other winner was Loretta Martin, longtime director of Clovis Funeral Chapel. The awards were presented at the Islamic Center’s “Night of Spirituality” gathering Friday night.The Spirit of Abraham Awards have been presented every year since 2005. They are given to people and organizations who significantly enhance interfaith cooperation and the understanding of Islam and Muslims in the central San Joaquin Valley.  Past recipients include Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer, Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor, The Ethics Center at Fresno State, and Rabbi Rick Winer.Reaching Out to Syrian RefugeesFIRM was recognized for its outreach to refugees from war-ravaged Syria. FIRM had spent years tending to the needs of Hmong, Laotian and Slavis refugee communities. The people and families from Syria was the first time the ministry worked with Muslim refugees.Darrah said FIRM brought in people who could help bridge language and cultural barriers. From that point, FIRM did what it does every day: ensure people have proper food, clothing, and shelter, while addressing whatever other needs arise.“We have to teach many of how to drive,” said Darrah. About 50 Syrian refugees earned driver’s licenses thanks to FIRM.Ensuring Anguished Families are Cared for, RespectedMartin and her late husband, Daniel, founded Clovis Funeral Chapel in 19...

Anderson, Delores Adell, 92, Fresno, May 19, Chapel of the Light Funeral Home Artphasook, Ulai, 62, Fresno, May 23, Chapel of the Light Funeral Home Bartels, Franklin, 96, Tulare, May 27, Peers-Lorentzen Funeral Service Bellamy Sr., Lee Andrew, 52, Porterville, May 1, Myers Funeral Service & Crematory Borden, Norman Clyde, 86, Tulare, May 26, Peers-Lorentzen Funeral Service Boriack, Randolph Paul, 65, Tulare, May 26, Peers-Lorentzen Funeral Service Bosch, Grace, 94, Visalia, May 28, Peers-Lorentzen Funeral Service Briggs, David F., 61, Springville, May 23, Myers Funeral Service & Crematory Cavazos, Jose Luz, 88, Sanger, May 24, Wallin’s Sanger Funeral Home Ceballos, Ramon Andrade, 59, Porterville, May 23, Myers Funeral Service & Crematory Colin Banderas, Manuel, 74, Hanford, May 20, Chapel of the Light Funeral Home ...