Carmen Valdez

Weslaco-Carmen Valdez, 70, passed away at her home on Thursday, July 13th, 2023. Her family surrounded her. 

Carmen was born in Alamo, Texas. She was the seventh child of eight siblings, born to Jose Angel and Bertha (Vasquez) Perales. Carmen grew up in Alamo and graduated from PSJA High School in 1972 as a “Bearette” dancer. She got married to Reynaldo Valdez August 2, 1973 and had 4 children. 

Carmen and her family moved to Donna in 1990. They joined the First Baptist Church, and Carmen became a born-again Christian. Her husband, Ray, followed, and they quickly immersed themselves into their family of faith. It wasn’t long before they led the youth group and converted countless teenagers to Christ. Carmen was full of life and so much fun, yet kind and gentle when appropriate. She counseled hundreds of teenagers, especially females, teaching them to be prayer warriors, read their Bibles, and trust Christ. Carmen was a youth minister for many years and a second mom to many. 

It is not surprising that Carmen chose a career in counseling. She worked as a social worker for the PSJA school district for many years. Carmen spent countless hours outside of work attending to families in need. She collaborated with others to collect food, clothing, school supplies, and anything else needed. 

When Carmen accepted Christ, she had a heart change. She was warm, loving, full of life, and imaginative. Carmen had a wooden desk named “Carmen’s Corner,” where her creativity soared freely. She handmade costumes for all of her grandchildren for Halloween, family camp, talent shows, and Christmas, to name a few. Carmen was always wanting to cheer people up and help those in need. Once, she dressed up as Mickey Mouse or a Clown to visit a friend undergoing cancer treatment. 

Carmen loved scrapbooking, making mums for homecoming, and seasonal door wreaths for all occasions, even baby showers and shared those talents with her daughter, grandkids and friends to learn on doing them too. Carmen loved Christmas and garnished her tree with a different theme every year. She also offered to decorate for her friends. 

Carmen was a great mom. She volunteered to be Mrs. Clause at her kid’s schools, passing out candy canes and singing Christmas carols. Carmen’s children were so proud. She also made the best enchiladas and rice. Carmen was willing to do anything for her kids. 

Carmen was her grandchildren’s biggest fan. She attended all of their events, from plays, choir and loved to show off her granddaughter’s ballet videos to friends and family. Carmen made 200 goodie bags for the Nutcracker crew. She would always do skits for the Christmas holidays with her grandkids. She also took her grandchildren on regular dates, had tea parties, and built forts in her living room for sleepovers and shared her hopes and dreams. 

Carmen was thrifty, and many Saturday mornings were spent shopping at garage sales. Carmen found the best deals and some hidden treasures. She also loved uncovering values at Hobby Lobby.

Besides being a great mom and grandma, Carmen had a group of lifelong girlfriends called “The Coffee Club.” Carmen was a huge Elvis fan; she enjoyed mariachis, dancing, and traveling, especially to Niagara Falls Canada, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Durango, Silverton Colorado, Lake Tahoe, New Mexico, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Mississippi (Graceland) Mackinac Island in Michigan from her favorite movie “Somewhere in Time”, Carmen lived life to the fullest and touched many along the way through her love and compassion. 

Carmen is preceded in death by her parents, Jose Angel and Bertha Perales, and son LeeSandro Valdez (10/29/74 who got his Angel wings 3/24/75 )and her siblings, Jose Angel “Junior,” Maria Criselda “Nenita”, Cecilia “Cila”, Guadalupe “Lupe”, and James “Jimmy” Perales. 

She is survived by her daughter, Liza Valdez Trevino (David Trevino); Lee Rey Valdez (Cassie Balli-Valdez), Joe Raymond Valdez (Heather Moore); sister, Julia Perales; brother, Juan Perales (Gloria Perales); sister-in-laws, Juanita Perales, Olga Perales and grandchildren -Devin Isaiah, Syriana Cecilia, and Layla Grace Trevino, Kendra Rae, and Dominic Javier Valdez, and Jolene Isabela Valdez, husband and father of her children, Reynaldo Valdez, and numerous nieces and nephews.