Julia Salgado Lerma, 69, of Big Spring, died on Thursday, June 30, 2005, at her residence. A vigil service will be said at 7:00 PM Friday, July 1, 2005 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, July 2, 2005 at the St. Thomas Catholic Church with Rev. James Plagens, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park.She was born on September 18, 1935, in Carlsbad, New Mexico and married Marcos Lerma in 1966 in Big Spring, Texas. He preceded her in death on August 23, 1989.Julia was raised in Big Spring and attended Big Spring schools. She had worked at the VA Medical Center in dietician services for 13 years, retiring in 1998. After the death of her sister, she was like a mother to the Montanez family and was also like a mother to Susie Alofs and children and Juan Montelongo. She was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church.Survivors include a son, Albert J. Puga and wife, Diane, of Austin; two daughters, Edna Prather and husband, Robert, and Annissa Lerma all of Big Spring; and three grandchildren, Robert Puga of San Diego and Melissa Puga and Mario Puga both of Austin. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Manuel and Refugio Salgado; two sons, Rudy Puga and Joe Puga; one sister, Inez Montanez and one brother, Bernadino Salgado.The family suggests memorials to the American Cancer Society Memorial Program % Lucy Bonner, P.O. Box 2121, Big Spring, Texas 79721-2121.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
