Dr. Eva Peña - Hughes

Dr. Evangelina Martha Hughes, age 79, of Springboro Ohio, formerly of McAllen Texas, died and went to be with our Heavenly Father on Wednesday, October 5, 2016. She was born to the late Fidel and Sofia Peña on October 13, 1936 in Mercedes, TX.

Dr. Eva Hughes loved learning, she graduated from McAllen High School, got her Bachelor of Science degree at Pan American University, Master’s in Education at Southwest Texas State University, and Doctorate in Education at the University of Illinois in Champaign. She was commissioned by the State of Texas as a member of the Texas Literacy Council. One of her many passions was education and she dedicated 36 years of her life to the education of children at McAllen ISD. Dr. Hughes began as a teacher of Early childhood, but later held such titles as Director of the Bilingual Program, Director of the Language Response Program, Administrator of Educational Support Services, Administrator of Personnel and Support Services, Executive Director of Special Populations, and Executive Director of Human Resources. She also taught as a professor at Pan American University.

Family and friends were Eva’s love. Her greatest joy were her three grandchildren Anthony, Alyssa, and Andrea whom she instilled the love of faith, family, education, and community.

Eva is preceded in death by her parents Fidel and Sofia Peña; her brothers, Antonio Ernesto, Fidel Luis, and Eldelmiro; and her beloved nieces and nephews Clarisa Pérez Tovar, Estela-Peña-Valdez, José Peña, and Jorge Peña. Eva is survived by her daughter Leticia De Los Santos and son in-law Arnold; grandchildren Anthony Xavier De Los Santos (Klarissa), Alyssa Denee Fairbanks (Nolan), Andrea Marie Guerra (Joseph); great-grandchildren London Ethan Fairbanks, Autumn Renee De Los Santos, Theodore Luke Guerra, Lincoln Xavier De Los Santos, and Everett Liam Fairbanks. She is also survived by her brother Carlos Peña (Linda), Gracie Pérez (Hector), Lydia Fernandez (Noe), and sister-in-law Alma Peña. She also leaves behind numerous loving relatives and friends.

Family received friends on Wednesday, October 12th, 2016 from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. with a rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Funeraria Del Angel, 3611 N. Taylor Rd., Mission, TX. 78573. Funeral services, were held on Eva’s birthday, October 13th, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 2201 Martin Ave., McAllen, TX. 78504. Burial followed to Valley Memorial Gardens, 36-5 N. Taylor Rd. Mission, TX. 78573.