She was born on September 2, 1918 in Hochheim, Texas in DeWitt County to Viviano Vela and Felicita Garza Vela.
She was known as Momo, Ma, Mama and Patty to those she worked with and to her friends at Autumn Leaves Assisted Living.
Esperanza was preceded in death by her husband Servando M. Herrera who passed away in April 1989, her daughter Marcella Herrera in April 2007, her son Arnold Ray Herrera in July 2014, her parents, brothers, sisters and Granddaughter-in-law Patricia Herrera.
She is survived by her daughter Maria Melba Escobar (Jesse) and sons Gilbert Herrera (Irene) and Ronald Herrera (Anna). Grandchildren Jeffery Herrera, Sonya Herrera (Corey), LTC Greg Escobar (Erin), Edward Escobar (Melissa), Alex Herrera and Sophia Herrera. Great grandchildren Savannah Herrera, Jack Escobar, Abigail Escobar, Mia Escobar and Aiden Escobar. Sister Julia Maron, and many nieces, nephews, friends and family.
She loved to sew, bake, garden and talk on the phone. Her phone was her link to all her family. She once said that “she paid her phone bill so she might as well use it”. She worked as a seamstress all her life. While working at Royal Linen Service she was chosen to sew the patches on the baseball team jersey for the Colt 45’s who became the Houston Astros. She also was chosen to make the table cloths for a reception at the Rice Hotel for JFK before he went to Dallas the following day. She was always asked what is the secret for a long life? She loved telling her friends at the Autumn Leaves Assisted Living home that she grew up in the country and her family had fresh eggs, milk, vegetables and meat. She also would pray every day. She prayed for everyone. She started and ended her day saying the Rosary.
Esperanza never met a stranger.
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