Yolanda Salinas-Graham
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Yolanda Louise Augustine Salinas-Graham, 58, of Independence, MO passed away on May 7th, 2021 in her home surrounded by her family.
Yolanda Salinas-Graham was born on August 28th, 1962 in Kansas City, Missouri to Elias and Esther Salinas. After graduating from Van Horn High school she worked at BMA 15 plus years until she found her passion and working at her church, Sheffield Family Life Center for 20 plus years. She was such a hard worker that she would even work two or three jobs at a time.
Yoli’s greatest joy in life was helping others and was always the first to lend a helping hand.
She was devoted to her Faith at an early age. She was administrative assistant to two pastors which covered marriage ministry, counseling, therapy, OLO, 60+, weekday food drop, compassion ministry (funerals), Keenagers and was a team member of the security ministry. Her love for decorating and fun nature made her amazing at organizing events such as family reunions and parties.
She also loved the game of softball/baseball. When she wasn’t playing, she was coaching and later cheering on her children/grandchildren. Her passion was her family! She enjoyed hanging out with her children, shopping, watching games; going on retreats with her mom, spending time at the lake with her cousins; gardening and collecting her roosters. Yoli had such a beautiful smile and nurturing way about her. She was a loving daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and wife. She was respected and loved by many and her loss will be felt by everyone.
Yolanda was preceded in death by her father, Elias Munoz Salinas; her fathers parents Agustin and Maria Salinas; her mothers parents Francisco and Felicitas Velasquez.
She is survived by her husband David Graham; sons, Domonic Morales, Elias Morales and Ryan Graham-Martinez; daughters, Elida Morales and Valerie McQuillan (Thomas); mother, Esther Salinas; brothers, Vincent Salinas (Annette) and Joseph Salinas; sister, Christina Lane; God-daughter, Samantha Searcy; 10 grandchildren: Izabella and Benjamin Morales; Brayleigh, Adilyn and Graham Martinez; Maddison Sapp, Kolton, Bryson, Peyton McQuillan, Alijah Searcy; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 10-12pm on Thursday, May 20th, 2021 at Sheffield Family Life Center in Kansas City, Missouri, followed by her Memorial service and Interment at Mount Washington cemetery.
On behalf of the family of Yolanda, we thank you for all of the love, prayers and messages. Condolences and floral arrangements may be sent to Sheffield Family Life center at 5700 Winner Rd.
Visits: 14
To All of Yoli’s family –
I had the pleasure of meeting Yoli as a teenager at Sheffield, the HONOR of being her friend & though we lost touch as we made our way through adult life, I was BLESSED to be reconnected with her a couple of years ago. I loved her dearly; she was funny, smart, wise, kind, generous, beautiful + so much more! I cannot imagine the huge loss you, as a family, must feel…my heart is broken knowing she’s no longer a text or phone call away just to say hi, I miss you, I love you my friend. Please know you all are in my prayers…may GOD give you comfort as you grieve such a wonderful mother, wife, daughter & sister who touched the lives of so many people with her contagious smile, warm personality & the love of GOD that just shined within her.
Yoli and Christina were my first best friends at Sheffield! They welcomed me in their home and Yoli was like a big sister to me. I was always afraid to sing solos when we were in The Believers choir and I told her my favorite singer was Stacy Lattisaw. Yoli always encouraged me and held my hand and encouraged me before each solo to sing like Stacy Lattisaw. She always smiled and hugged me and told me love you “Stacy Lattisaw!” She was my rock during my dad’s memorial. I will always love and miss you!
Esther, Vince, Christina and Joe, I can’t imagine the pain of losing Yoli and I am sorry for your loss. To have it so soon after the loss of your husband/father has to make the pain so much harder. David, I offer my condolences to you as well, to lose a wife after such a short time of marriage seems unfair. Yoli was a good friend. We lost touch for many years but were able to recently reconnect. I am not sure if you are aware but May 20th was the day we graduated from high school and it is also the day we will celebrate her life and graduation into the arms of her Savior, a special coincidence. You all have been and will continue to be in our prayers.
We love your family so much and we send our thoughts and prayers… Our hearts are broken and we will miss Yoli SO much!!! She had a gift of making everyone feel like they were SO important and lived. We are thankful that we know we will all be together again. Give our moms a big hug from us! Until we see you again sweet friend, Marcelo & Tina
I am still in shock. I remember so much that Yoli did. Her and Christina introduced me to makeup, but it never stuck. She would come over with her cool brown car and took me to a under 21 club. So many memories.
I want o be there and hope I can. She is and was a beautiful person. My heart goes out to my Aunt, Dave and her kids. You are in my prayers.
Dave,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Yoli was a truly beautiful and loving person. She knew no stranger and never judged anyone. She accepted and loved all people with the heart of Jesus. I met Yoli in youth group. She even sang at my brother’s wedding. We lost contact but recently reconnected. I was blessed to be able to be at her wedding. I was so happy for her and Dave. Her children, grandchildren, Dave and her family were her greatest joys. My prayers are for you to feel God’s peace and that He would surround you with his love. She will be forever missed – but you are her legacy.
As so many have said before me, I will say again what an Amazing Woman Yoli was and is! Always helpful, always smiling, truly concerned for someone else’s well being. She was there when my husband died offering to help. How much that meant to me but that was just how Yoli was. Though we weren’t blood cousins, we were definitely family. It’s still hard to believe but if ever I knew someone had received their wings it would be Yoli for sure. God Bless you my friend ? love you and forever in my heart ? God Bless Esther, Vincent, Joe Mike, Cristina, Dave and her children ???
I apologize don’t know where the question marks came from
Yoli has always met me with a smile each time I came to visit from Harvesters. She is a treasure and will be missed greatly by so many. She always treats people with care and dignity and made people feel good as they came to receive food.
To ALL the family of Yolanda( Yoli) Salinas Graham
Esther Salinas
Ps Willie Murillo
David Graham
Others not mentioned
My love, prayers of comfort (that only Father God can give)are submitted on bended knees.
You have been temporarily separated from your/our dear Sis Yoli. I won’t miss her like you, but I will miss her warm smile ,compassion and concern for all. A beautiful light has gone out here, but always shine in your hearts.
Hold tight to God’s unchanging hand . By faith you will all meet again in that great getting up
morning! Hallelujah !!!
Submitted in love and sorrow
Sis Lillie Banks
Yoli was always a ray of sunshine! Full of life, sweet, warm and kind. She will be missed and never forgotten. I consider myself lucky to have known her for 25 years.
Peace be with you as you mourn the loss of such a special lady!
??
Dee Harding
Blue Springs, MO
Our heart is broken for the family during this difficult time. Yoli was such a bright light to everyone she came in contact with! With so many memories from being teenagers on a ball field, to seeing her bless so many through her years of ministry at Sheffield, she will be missed! I know she is rejoicing in the presence of the Lord and seeing all the people she knows that are there with her! Praying for her kids, grandkids, Esther and family.
Jimmy and I are heartbroken at your loss. Our prayers are with the entire family, and know that we love you. May God’s Holy Spirit lift you up, and give you strength. Heaven is now sweeter, and we will reunite again.
Esther and all of Yolanda’s family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Yoli and I were never close, but she was still part of my best memories of The Believers and Sheffield’s youth group.
It’s rewarding to know that she is with her Savior.
Prayers, Linda Hornburg Baxter
On May 7th my Sister- in- law Yoli Salinas received her wings. If you look up the word “loved” in the dictionary you will see a picture of Yoli.
I was blessed to know her as Family but I knew her from my work at Harvesters-The Community Food Network and Sheffield Assembly of God Church.
Yoli and my brother-in-law Dave and many others wonderful volunteers overseen several programs with Harvesters. First Saturday of every month they gave out over 300 boxes of food to the community. Yoli loved her seniors her other programs were CSFP commodities and a Senior Mobile pantry. The program she gave her heart to was for seniors named Keenagers. After I retired from Harvesters I attended the meeting/ luncheon. It started out with a prayer lead by Pastor Willie Murillo. We shared a meal to feed our bodies but it also feed our souls. Yoli was loved by her husband, children and Family and community. I will miss your beautiful smile and hugs. May God wrap his loving arms around you. PS. Tell Steve I love and miss him. Thank You for all you have done here on earth ? wear your wings with pride.