Angelita Velasquez Mendoza

Born 07/04/1936 Passed 05/11/2022

Angelita “Angie” passed away on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at home peacefully with her children, grandchildren and family by her side.

Angelita is preceded in death by her husband Joe Mendoza “1977”, her father Gumisindo Velasquez “1984”, mother Esperanza Espinosa “1998”, son Joe H.Zavala “2016, brother Gumisindo Velasquez Jr. “2011” and partner Henry Ramirez Sr. “2021.”

She is survived by her son Tony Mendoza (Estella) of Dallas, TX, daughter JoAnn Mendoza of Corpus Christi, TX, daughter and son in law Sandra Katy and Edward Puente Jr. of Dallas, TX., daughter in law Elizabeth Zavala (Joe) of McKinney, TX, Goddaughter Rita Velasquez of Cedar Hill, TX. She is also survived by her step children Priscilla Partida (Louie), Manuel Ramirez, Jesse Ramirez and Henry Ramirez Jr. (Rachel) all of Dallas, TX. Grandchildren Joe “Bobby” Mendoza(Kimberely), Joe Zavala Jr., Angel Ray Zavala(Christy), Justin D.Quiroga (Elisha), Valerie M. Mendoza (Daniel), Stephen Mendoza(Anita), Edward Ayala (Luisa), Mia Mendoza, Yolanda R. Puente, Erica Medellin, 12 great grandchildren, Sisters Rosa Criado of Amarillo, TX, Elida Gonzales of Hondo, TX. Dominga Gonzales of Caldwell, TX., Mary Ester Rosas of Corpus Christi, TX, Maria Suarez of San Antonio, TX. Numerous nieces and nephews, family and friends. Bonus family Miguel and Letty Chalott and children.

Angelita was born in Mathis, Texas on July 4, 1936 to Gumisindo and Esperanza Velasquez. She was raised in Corpus Christi, TX. Angelita was the oldest of 7 children. She started working at a young age to help her parents. They were migrant workers.

She met her husband Joe Mendoza and they lived in San Antonio, TX and had 4 children. They moved to Dallas, Texas in 1973 where her husband passed away in 1977 and Angelita became a widower at the young age of 40 and was left to finish raising 4 children of her own and later a grandson. Angelita worked very hard to provide for her family. She was a domestic engineer for 30 plus years to the Walter Family which became her second family. She traveled with them when needed. Angelita loved cooking for her family, going to the movies, traveling, planting flowers, shopping and going out to eat at different restaurants but her favorite was Gonzales Restaurant. Dancing was her life. When she was young she would win prizes for the best dancer. She always sang along to music and would whistle a song. Angelita always attended church. She had so much faith in God and Jesus. She always prayed for her family. If ever her children and grandchildren needed a prayer, they could count on Angelita to pray for them. Her prayers were very strong.

Angelita would always say, I love you to her children and they would reply with, I love you more, then she would say, “Oh you beat me, I'll try again tomorrow.”

In 1978 she met her partner of 32 years, Henry Ramirez. They were regulars at the Hi-Ho Ballroom.

At the age of 75 Angelita was diagnosed with Dementia. It caused her to slow down some but not enough for her to stop visiting her daughter (family) and sisters in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Amarillo, Hondo and Caldwell Texas. Angelita traveled until the very end of her life. In February 2022 she attended her niece's wedding in San Antonio, Texas and danced all night long.

The Legacy of Angelita V. Mendoza is Love. The Love she had until her last breath was evident in her actions, her words and her devotion. Her last words said to her family in a whisper were “I Love You.”

She was and is the definition of love. Our mother had the softest kisses and tightest hugs.

“God Saw You Were Getting Tired”

God saw you were getting tired and a cure was not to be, so he put his arms around you and whispered “come with me.” With tearful eyes, we watched you suffer and saw you fade away.

Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A Golden Heart stopped beating, Hard working hands to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the Best.