Rafaela Villarreal

WESLACO - Rafaela Villarreal, 91, passed away at her home on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. She was born on February 21, 1929, in El Fierro, New Mexico, to Tomas Gonzales and Esiquia Flores, the third child in a total of eleven. Rafaela married Santos Villarreal, and together, they built a beautiful life and raised five children.

Rafaela very much enjoyed listening to music and dancing. She rarely allowed a song to go by without getting up and moving to the beat even if she happened to be cleaning or cooking. She loved participating in games and her coins were never far from her chalupa cards. She took part in many church activities and cherished the friendships she made within the community. Rafaela loved to travel and visit her siblings and family in California, and she was always ready to go even if she didn’t know the destination. Her number one priority though, was raising her five children and later, being a grandma and great grandma.

Rafaela was a strong, independent, supportive mother and friend. She was a woman of faith, and God was always at the center of her decisions. Rafaela was a devout Catholic and volunteered often. She will always be remembered for her happy and positive attitude and willingness to help others. A beautiful smile was never far even amid adversity.

Rafaela is preceded in death by her parents, Tomas and Esiquia Gonzalez, and her husband, Santos Villarreal, granddaughter Nichole Renee Lopez, her brothers George, Frank, Tomas, and Manuel Gonzales, and her sisters Guadalupe Gonzales, Dolores Rosales and Virginia Verdin.

She is survived by her brothers Salvador Gonzales, Isabel Gonzales and her sister Dora Juarez, her children, Diana Hernández (Jose C.), Fernando Villarreal (Letty), Brenda Alaniz (Alfonso), all of Weslaco, Arturo Villarreal of San Marcos, and Adan Villarreal (Lulu) of Edinburg, her grandchildren; Jennifer Marie Hernandez, Yadida & Martin Martinez, Jeremiah & Rebecca Hernandez, Deandra Victoria & Jose Castro, Ashley Lynn Alaniz, Corina Danielle Alaniz, Cristobal Lucas Villarreal, Lesslie Nicole Macias, Albert Anthony Macias, Nico Sloan Villarreal, Dalton Dayne Villarreal, & Kevin Ryan Macias and her great grandchildren; Madilyn Sophia Martinez, Ava Nancy Castro, Tyler Mason Lozano, Sadie Nichole Alaniz, Isaac Jax Martinez, and Brayden Jayce Moreno.