Celia Morales Inagawa, 1951-2024

Celia Morales Inagawa, 72, of Frostproof, Florida, passed away on May 29, 2024.

Celia was born to the late Geronimo Morales and Maria Gonzales on November 6, 1951, in Cotton Center, Texas. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Olivia and Esperanza, and two brothers, Eleazar and David Morales.

As a child, the Morales family relocated to Florida, where Celia spent most of her youth. While on the campus of The University of Miami, she met a Japanese exchange student named Shigeru Inagawa. The two fell in love and were married on March 17, 1972. The couple were blessed to spend 52 joyous years together before her passing.

Celia devoted herself to raising the couple's three sons. Then, in her late thirties, Celia chose to return to college at The University of South Florida. Upon graduating, she spent the next 17 years as a public school educator, primarily at Park Elementary in Avon Park. Celia was a gifted teacher, commended as a high-impact educator specializing in elementary math education.

Celia is survived by her husband Shigeru; sons Jamie (Lisa), Bryan (Jeannie), and Paul; beloved grandchildren, Jameson, Logan, Waverly, Bryce, and Braelynn; four sisters, Rita Guardiola, Anna Contreras, Phebe Morales, and Mary Morales; and four brothers, Geronimo Morales Jr., Elias Morales, Eliud Morales, and Eliseo Morales.

Celia was also a spiritual rock and follower of Christ. A woman of great faith, she was often the first to predict blessings before they came to pass. As the matriarch of the Inagawa family, her greatest joy came from relishing the continued prosperity and success of her children and grandchildren.

She was a talented cook and gardener. Celia will be remembered for her quick wit, fierce loyalty, and headstrong devotion to family. She enjoyed red wine, good cheese, and a good fight.

Above all else, Celia loved her boys, and they, in turn, loved her back. She will be forever missed.

Service will be held at Marion Nelson Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 4, at 2:00 pm at 196 Co Rd 630, Frostproof, FL 33843. A private viewing for the family will be held an hour before service. Interment will follow at Silver Lake Cemetery. All expressions of sympathy are welcome.