Manuela, or Mela as she was known, was born Aug. 7, 1936 in Beeville, Tx to Pabla and Andres Herrera. She was one of 9 siblings. She married Moises Castro Sr. on June 9, 1956. They had nine children.
Our beloved “Wela” was a strong and courageous lady. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren very much and was always ready to prepare them a meal of anything they asked. She was an amazing cook and loved making Christmas special with her delicious tamales, pan de polvo and empanadas.
She became a widow at age 50. She had never worked in her life, but she taught her children that God would always provide and take care of us all and He did. She was a faithful servant of God who loved to hear her children sing and play piano and guitar. She loved the Lord and wanted her children and grandchildren to serve the Lord the way we had been taught all our lives.
She was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church for more than 30 years. She would walk down the street to Emmanuel for as long as she could walk. For the past three years she had been attending Calvary Baptist Church faithfully. Where she would sit in the back row awaiting her children and grandchildren to come and sit with her.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Danny, whom she loved and missed very much, and most recently her little sister, Margie Saldana.
She is survived by her daughters, Tina (David) Vasquez, Beatrice Elizalde, Maria Castro, Gloria Castro, Lisa (Tudy) Lopez, and Isabel (David) Salinas; sons, Moises (Rose Mary) Castro Jr. and John David Castro; sister, Del Vera; brothers, David Herrera and Andy Herrera; and several sisters-in-law.
She is also survived by 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and two great-grandchildren on their way and one great-great-granddaughter, and several nieces and nephews.
Her passing was made comfortable in the hospital and in her home because of the unfailing love and care provided her by her beloved daughters, Bea and Maria (Wera). We don’t know how we could have done it without them.
Pallbearers include:
Anthony Elizalde
Matthew Vasquez
DJ Salinas
John Castro Jr.
Tudy Lopez IV
Joseph Elizalde Jr.
Honorary pallbearers:
David Vasquez
David Salinas
Tudy Lopez III
A public visitation for Manuela will be held Friday, September 20, 2024 at 8:30 AM, with a Funeral Service at 9:30 am at Memory Gardens Funeral Home & Cemetery, 8200 Old Brownsville Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78415. Interment immediately following at Memory Gardens Cemetery. A reception to follow services at Segunda Iglesia Bautista, 5405 Carroll Lane, Corpus Christi, Texas
