Elva Zamarron Gamez

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of a beloved matriarch, Elva Zamarron Gamez. She departed from this world on July 21, 2024, at her home in Weslaco, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Galiana, Mexico, on June 27, 1932, to Baldemero and Concepcion Zamarron, Elva lived a life filled with grace, love, and dedication to her family.

Elva met her soulmate, Ildefonso at Rancho Verde in Progreso, Texas in 1947. The following year, they were married on March 28, 1948, and spent the rest of their lives together. 

Known for her elegance and style, Elva carried herself with poise and sophistication. From her impeccable wardrobe to her perfectly manicured nails, she exuded a timeless charm that captivated everyone she met. Her home reflected her immaculate taste, decorated for every season, with beautiful furniture, full table settings, candelabrums, and floral arrangements. The Gamez home was warm and comfortable, immaculately kept, and had a fresh perfume scent. Elva welcomed all guests with a hug and nurtured them with her home-cooked meals. 

Besides being known for her style, Elva was an exceptional cook. Every Sunday after church, she would gather her loved ones around the table to share delicious meals cooked with love and seasoned with family traditions. She learned secret family recipes passed on from her family legacy. Elva's secret menudo recipe and chicken mole were favorites. Her holiday festivities were marked not just by food but also by the spiritual nourishment she provided through shared moments of prayer and togetherness. 

Elva loved nature and was fascinated by God's creations. She enjoyed gardening, plants, and sharing plant clippings with her sisters, Cachi and Socorro. Her love for nature and natural remedies was passed down from her mother and grandmother. Elva also cared for orange and grapefruit orchards in her backyard. Elva was intelligent and had an unmatched work ethic. This perfect combination and her witty personality led to Elva turning her passion for nature into a business. Eventually, she began exporting fruits throughout Texas from the Weslaco Train Station in the 1960s. Elva also enjoyed growing key lime, avocado, and various peach trees. She also grew thriving grapevines. Elva's business savvy improved over the years, and she managed several real estate transactions successfully for the Gamez family. 

In addition to being a great homemaker, Elva learned to crochet and make ceramic pots and kitchenware. She shared these hobbies with her daughters, and they enjoyed priceless time together, visiting and being creative. 

Elva's favorite creatures in nature were birds, particularly hummingbirds. She would purposely plant flowers and bushes so her birds had a home and a place to eat. Elva had perfectly manicured trumpet shrubs for her hummingbirds. Once, she found a baby hummingbird, which she put in a box to care for. Elva tore a hole in her home window screen so the mother hummingbird could stick her beak in to feed. Once the baby was strong enough to fly independently, Elva released the young bird into her garden. 

Elva learned to appreciate music from her father, a violinist and music teacher. It was through music that her husband, Alfonso, won her heart. Alfonso took violin lessons with Elva's father and learned to play "Tus Ojos," which he pretended to practice while secretly serenading his soulmate. Throughout their marriage, Elva and Alfonso used instruments and their voices to praise God. Elva was always humming a tune in adoration of her Lord and Savior. Elva loved attending the Rio Grande Valley Symphony Orchestra, especially their winter concert. She and Alfonso passed down their passion for music to their children and grandchildren, and many of them are gifted musicians. 

Elva loved spending time with her family, and one of her favorite outings was a day at South Padre Island. She would pack a picnic lunch, or Elva and Alfonso would barbecue. She also enjoyed traveling, especially all over Mexico, where she would visit with her aunt and family. Her favorite town was El Tunal, where she enjoyed the family orchards of apples and apricots. Elva also took vacations around Texas and visited relatives in California. After retirement, she and Alfonso eventually visited Disney World in Florida, where they received "first-class treatment" because everyone thought they were such a "cute couple." Elva also enjoyed simple pleasures more frequently after retirement, like having breakfast with her husband daily and different restaurants in the Rio Grande Valley. 

Elva was a True Patriot. She attended Tea Party Rallies and was a member of the Republican Headquarters in McAllen, Texas. She supported her party by signing up others to vote. Elva proudly flew "Old Glory" at her home, attended political rallies, and lived the American Dream through hard work and dedication. 

Elva's proudest accomplishment was undoubtedly her Christian faith. Elva served her Lord and Savior and led by example. She was the Director of the Women's Group for over fifteen years, coordinating church luncheons, special events, and regional Baptist Retreats for church youth groups. Elva led by example. Her unwavering faith shone through in her personality and enduring marriage of seventy-six years to Alfonso. Their exemplary partnership built on love, communication, and faith served as an inspiration to many, always remembering to put God first. Their unwavering bond was a testament to their commitment to each other and their family. Throughout Elva's life, she witnessed to countless people, leading them to accept Jesus as their personal savior. She and Idelfonso also saved many marriages through counseling and prayer. When the couples were back on track, Elva and Alfonso would encourage them to help others, furthering their ministry of saving marriages. 

Elva, a woman of immense kindness and generosity, leaves behind a legacy of love and unity that will continue to thrive in the hearts of all who knew her. She will be dearly missed but never forgotten.

Elva is preceded in death by her parents, Baldomero and Concepcion (Guadian) Zamarron, siblings, Maria de los Angeles Rodriguez, Baldomero Zamarron Jr., Beatriz “Socorro” Zamarron, Felix Zamarron, Eleazar Zamarron, and Ludvina “Ludy” Veliz. 

She is survived by her loving husband, Ildefonso "Alfonso" Gamez, their children, Maggie Rivera (Robert+), Sam Gamez (Elizabeth), Nina Gamez (Elena), David Gamez (Maricela), Nelly Villanueva (Juan), and Norma Gamez, siblings, Maria del Rosario “Cachi” Gonzalez, Eufemia Martinez, Oscar Zamarron, and Odette C. Contreras, fourteen grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren, with another on the way. 

The family would like to give special thanks to her caretakers in the final years of her life. The Gamez family is eternally grateful to Ayde Carrera, Lidia Gil Bravo, and Monica Treviño, who surrounded Elva with gentle hands. 

Visitation to celebrate Elva's life will be held on July 24 from 1-9 pm and July 25 from 10 am-9 pm, with a Celebration of Life at 7 pm both evenings at McCaleb Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will continue on Friday, July 26, at 10 am at Las Palmas Baptist Church (518 W. Mile 10 N., Weslaco, TX), followed by burial at Highland Memorial Park (6705 FM 88, Weslaco, TX). 

Serving as pallbearers will be David Gamez Jr., David L. Hagan Jr., Robert Rivera Jr., Mark Devin Dudley II, Blake Ashton Gonzalez, and Jaidyn Martinez, honorary pallbearers will be Jaime "J.J" Rivera Jr. and Kayla L. Hagan. 

May Elva Zamarron Gamez rest in eternal peace with her Lord and Savior, praising Him and basking in the beauty we can only imagine.