Leonila Alvarez Villarreal

Leonila was born on December 27, 1938, in Ozona, Texas to Manuela Martinez and Bernardo Alvarez. As a child, Leonila, was surrounded and very much loved by her maternal grandparents and many uncles and aunts.

On September 18, 1954 she married the love of her life, Vicente Villarreal Sr., in San Angelo, TX. In 1957, she and her husband Vicente moved to the Midland/Odessa Area from Ozona, TX. By the late sixties, her younger children began school and she worked as a housekeeper. Leonila knew the importance of receiving an education and received her GED in the early seventies. She then set out to work at Levi Strauss and South Elementary Cafeteria until 1978. A break was required to stay home and care for her youngest child. In 1984 she returned to the workforce and was employed by MISD, Texas Instruments, Dillard’s and Stein Mart before retiring in 2004.

She enjoyed cooking and baking for family and friends. In her spare time, she was a seamstress and made her family clothing, wedding gowns, formal gowns and baptismal gowns. She also knew how to knit, crochet and quilt. There wasn’t anything she could not make! During election season she volunteered her time to work the polls in her precinct or at the Midland County Elections Office. In the summertime, she enjoyed being outdoors, planted flowers and cultivated many vegetable gardens. Leonila was a very talented lady and showed success at anything she tried. But of all her accolades, her greatest joy and favorite past time was the time she spent with her ever growing family.

She is preceded in death by her mother Manuela Martinez; her eldest daughter, Ofelia V. Lowe and her eldest son, Vicente Villarreal, Jr.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Vicente Villarreal Sr.; her sons, Harvey Villarreal and wife Vicki, Joe Villarreal, Danny Villarreal and wife Betty; her daughters, Laura Ramos and husband Julio, Bertha A. Sanchez and husband David, Angela Flores and husband Jason, all of Midland; Sixteen grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. She is also survived by her sister Rosa Sanchez (Nuncio) of Odessa, Texas.

A rosary will be held on Wednesday, August 24 at 6:30 p.m. pm at the Ellis Funeral Home Chapel. The funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Stephen’s Catholic Church in Midland, TX, with Msgr. James P. Bridges officiating.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Vicente Villarreal, Jr., Harvey Villarreal, Joe Villarreal, Danny Villarreal, Terry Lowe, Anthony Gonzales and Arturo Villarreal.

The Family of Leonila A. Villarreal wishes to thank Nannette and the staff at Dr. Gurru's office for the many years of care and most recently, Tiffany Hanson P.A. and her staff. A special thanks to Hospice of Midland and all the staff who cared for our Mom during these last weeks of transition.