Glenn Lafitte, CEO of the World Radio Network, presents a certificate to Jovita Gutiérrez for having served with the network since 1989.

(March 21, 2013 - by Bonnie Lafitte) On a Friday in January, Jovita Gutiérrez passed the day answering the telephone, greeting visitors to KBNL-FM in Laredo, Texas and helping with other aspects of the station's operations. By the following Monday, Jan. 28, she had passed into eternity at the age of 81.

Gutiérrez had volunteered as the station's receptionist for the last 24 years of her life. Amid her steady workload, she was also a devoted prayer warrior and evangelist, according to Bonnie Lafitte, whose husband, Glenn, was one of her earliest supervisors.

Lafitte, who serves as chief executive officer of the World Radio Network (WRN) that includes KBNL-FM, has watched as Gutiérrez's daughter, Rosie Rabell, was raised in the shadow of the ministry and grew into her own role there. She now serves as the station's program director.

KBNL Manager Arturo Lozano characterized Gutiérrez as an example of selfless service, dedication and faithfulness, adding that through her dedication, many have come to know Christ and have matured in their walk with the Lord. "She will be profoundly missed," he said.

Gutiérrez began volunteering in 1989, the same year the Lafittes moved to Laredo from Ecuador with their 2-year-old son, Jared. "Jovita and Rosie often cared for Jared and Justin, who was born shortly after our arrival in Laredo," Lozano recalled. "We have fond memories of times of fellowship with Jovita, Rosie and their family over the years."

Gutiérrez was among the oldest attendees at the combined WRN board meeting/administrative conference and retreat in November 2012 in the McAllen area, according to Lafitte.

Jovita Gutiérrez 1931-2013

Born in Sabinas, Coahuila, Mexico, on Aug. 26, 1931, Gutiérrez raised eight children (including Rosie), but still made time to volunteer. Active in the Christian Women's Alliance on both sides of the border, she also organized local prayer groups.

Memorial services took place in Laredo on Thursday-Friday, Jan. 31-Feb. 1, with hundreds of people present. As Gutiérrez had eight children, 26 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, the section marked "family" was extensive indeed.

The World Radio Network (Radio Cadena Manantial in Spanish) is one of HCJB Global's cooperating ministries. KBNL-FM is among 14 stations of the network which primarily serves listeners along the Mexico-U.S. border but elsewhere as well. The WRN is also comprised of nine repeaters, two satellite services with about a dozen affiliates and a Bible correspondence school. Of the 14 stations, eight stream their programming on the Internet.

Sources: World Radio Network, www.ecfa.org