Inez was born on April 18, 1936 in Robstown, Texas to parents Elvira and Genaro Perez at 10PM.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Elvira and Genaro Perez, husband, Cosme Solis, Jr, daughter Diana Solis, granddaughter Misty Elvira Gutierrez, and great-granddaughter, Jolianne Clayton.
She is survived by daughters, Yolanda Ayala and husband Robert, Debra Zajac and husband Dan, Norma Bolton and husband Rick, and Cynthia Solis-Medrano, 13 grandchildren, and 36 great-grandchildren.
Inez (Ines) Pena Perez Solis was born on April 18, 1936 in Robstown, Texas to Elvira and Genaro Perez. She was the third child of four children, and the youngest daughter. Her parents always called her “Bebe,” which means baby, and she didn’t know why they gave her that nickname. However, Mary was her Baptismal name.
Growing up, Inez shared with her children how she loved to play in the trees – climbing and swinging from limb-to-limb with her little brother. And at a very young age she loved God. She would say to her girls how she and her brother would walk to church alone without anyone forcing them to go. At that time of her life, her parents didn’t go to church. In her own words she shared, “In my recollection as a child, I always felt very close to God. I grew up a Catholic, so very early in life I wanted to be a Nun. Maybe in some way, I felt it to be a calling from God.”
On January 24, 1954, Inez married the love of her life, an Airman, Cosme Solis, Jr. Prior to their marriage, he courted her with love notes that he would leave at her parent’s café while he was on military leave. He was asking her to write and wait for him and not become a Nun as she and her cousin had planned. They married, and had five daughters who were their pride and joy!
Inez’s life was focused on her children. Christ was an important part of their lives. In her old neighborhood, El Dorado, they were able to raise their girls in a spiritually wholesome environment. Psalm 23:1-6, The Lord is my Shepherd…,” was her favorite scripture. She served as a Sunday School Teacher, Wednesday Night Women’s Ministry, and Summer Camp Christian Counselor. She was a strong supporter of Missionaries preaching the gospel; it was always her dream to become a Missionary after her husband passed. As a faithful servant of Christ, she led many people to Jesus by her encouraging words and example. Even after their second born daughter, Diana passed away, she was a spiritual rock for the family, holding on to God. While asking God all the “why” questions, she still read her Bible and went to church. It is very important we do not forget this, because this is her legacy: Without God we can do nothing. With God all things are possible.
There were many beach and weekend camping outings with their family at Galveston and Texas City, as well as Lake Houston picnics and boating. Birthday parties, vacation, adventure, holidays, and fun were an important part of the Solis family. She especially enjoyed playing croquet and badminton in their backyard. She also enjoyed travelling abroad to Cancun with Diana and her husband. She told the story of walking up to the roof top of a building where she and Diana were then strapped with parasailing harnesses, and pulled by a very fast boat, up into the sky and above the ocean. She loved it! She was full of adventure and always wanted to parachute from a plane but none of her girls were as brave as her. She loved roller coasters and Ferris wheels. As she got older, she enjoyed Kemah and Hermann Park train rides with smiles and laughter. She also went to Walt Disney Theme Park in Florida where she travelled in caravan with members of her family.
On her 25th Wedding Anniversary, it was celebrated with a surprise party given by their five daughters, and each of their siblings; it was truly a family affair! Their daughters gifted them with a trip to Europe where they saw Paris, Rome, Italy, and surrounding cities. While there, they booked many tours and saw castles. In Venice, they travelled by gondola, and rode on fast power boats, like ferries, that were not yet here in the United States. There are pictures of her standing by the Eiffel Tower which we will always treasure.
Once her girls were grown and had families of their own, they became members of Christian Tabernacle. There she celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary and exchanged wedding vows. It was even a more beautiful occasion when they saw their loving sisters and brothers, cousins, and dear friends from their early married life in Corpus Christi, Texas. Everyone came . . . they are loved!
Inez’s daughters, son-in-law’s, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were always around her, and so were her nieces and nephews. There was a lot of love, and health support from everyone . . . A lot of laughter from memories – and always flowers which she loved. Towards the end of her days with us, Inez’s girls continually thanked her for her overwhelming and unconditional love, and they reminded her that the love she had instilled in them was her legacy and it would continue for generations.
Helping mom into her to bed, we would pray with her each night, and she would end her prayer adding: “God, take care of all my family and watch over them, that not one would be lost. I love you Lord. Amen.”
Inez’s Blessed Wonderful Life.
“…to be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord” 2 Corinthians 5:8
There are beautiful descriptions of heaven in the Bible. It seems like a far-off place; yet Jesus came to earth from heaven, and when He did, He brought the reality of heaven closer to our hearts. Jesus is with Inez, and He is also with you to tenderly comfort and assure you of His love and care.
“Jesus said unto her, ‘I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.’” John 11:25
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestParkLawndaleFH.com for the Solis family.
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