Emma Reyes

Emma was born in Monterrey, Mexico on March 25, 1926 to Donato Gonzales and Maria Lopez. She came to the United States as an infant and grew up in San Antonio and later in Beaumont, Texas. Later in her adulthood on November 11, 1954, she became a U.S. citizen.

Being the oldest daughter in a family of 11, she was a second momma to her brothers and sister.

Rising up before dawn with her mother, she was burning wood fire outside to cook, wash dishes and clothes at around 6 years old. She was scrubbing floors on her hands and knees, ironing and starching clothes and changing her younger siblings diapers. She was no stranger to hard work or serving others first before herself. She loved everybody and everybody loved her.

Emma had a hard life growing up with no education and being widowed twice but she was a strong woman who received her strength through her faith in Jesus Christ. She never failed to read her Bible every morning and to give thanks to Him for the blessings she had.

She is preceded in death by her husbands, Martin Hernandez and Louis Reyes and brothers Angel, Raymond and Larry Gonzales.

She is survived by her children Adele (Cynthia) Branyan and husband Jim, Sandra Denison and Gloria Evans; grandchildren Christopher Branyan and wife Kim, Patrick Branyan and wife Ashley, Roxanne Auguste and husband Ronnie, Anthony Sinopoli and wife Wendy, Steven Elder and Brian Evans; great grandchildren Brandon, Kaylee, Bridget, Ainsley, Connor, Delaney, Marshall, Patrick Jr., and Savanna Branyan; Mikayla, Trey and Mariah Auguste; Anthony (A.J.), Emilia, Ethan, Dane, and Taya Sinopoli; Alexa Evans; great-great grandchildren Amira and Bryson Branyan; and siblings Johnny, Donnie, Frank, Oscar and Rosemary Gonzales.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Reyes family.