Candace Rios

Candace Lorraine Rios (Miller), 72, of Tehachapi, California, was called home by our Heavenly Father on January 23, 2025. She passed with her beloved family by her side, holding her hands and embracing her with all their love until her final heartbeat. Though her passing is a profound loss for those who cherish her, the family believes that God is merciful and now Candace is in God's perfect care, free from her Earthly struggles.

Candace was born on January 3, 1953, in San Jose, California, to Harold and Pearl Miller. She was raised in San Fernando and Newhall, with siblings Michele Jenkins (Dean), Russell Miller, Edmond Miller (Marta). While attending Hart High School she met the love of her life, Arnold Rios, while riding bus #18-driven by none other than Arnold himself. Their love story blossomed, and four years later, on September 7, 1974, they were married. Together, they built a life filled with adventure and devotion.

They spent their early years of marriage venturing the California Coast and High Sierra's in their VW bus, complete with Candace's hand sewn animal patterned curtains. Their adventures always led them back to their favorite camping spot, Calaveras Big Trees State Park-a place that became a cherished, still enduring, summer tradition for their family. Inspired by their time there, they built a log home in the mountains of Frazier Park, where they raised their three daughters.

Candace's greatest joy was being the heart of her home, nurturing her girls, and demonstrating God's grace in the kindness she radiated like sunshine. Her devotion to Arnold and their daughters, Anna Escobedo, Rachel Marantos (Josh Marantos), and Marissa Sullivan (Adam Sullivan)-was unwavering. Her unconditional love for her children could only be matched by the love she gained when becoming a Nana to her eight adoring grandchildren-Isabel, Deven, Alana, Olivia, Liam, David, Isaac, and Violet. She delighted in showering them with affection, support and the most precious of all her gifts- joyous, exciting, laughter-filled quality time. These treasured memories are forever engraved in her children's and grandchildren's hearts.

This warm hearted care and attention extended far beyond her immediate family; she gave freely to friends, and friends of friends, people she just met, people in need of someone to listen, and would-be strangers- though to Candace there were no strangers. Every conversation she engaged in was thoughtful because she genuinely cared about others.

These innumerable cherished moments, 2 generations worth of imparting her love and guidance on her family, along with the kindness and empathy offered to every soul who is blessed to have known her will be her legacy. Candace left the grandest legacy of kindness and love, which will last and reach endless bounds.

She is deeply missed by her husband of over 50 years, Arnold Rios; her daughters; grandchildren, and many other family and friends. Though they grieve her absence on earth, they rejoice in the promise of eternal life through Christ.

May Candace's memory be a blessing to all who knew her. Her sunshine will never fade but will live on in the hearts of those she loved so dearly.