Nellie Balderas

Nellie was born in San Antonio, Texas, to Abraham and Katie (Trevino) Rodriguez. Her mother died when she and her siblings were very young. Her father later married Juanita (Ortegon) Rodriguez, and the family lived, and she attended school in Melvin, Texas.

Nellie married Gilbert Armendariz in 1949. They made their home in Ballinger, Texas, and had six children. They owned and operated the Acapulco Café in Ballinger and the Fireside Restaurant in Winters, Texas. Gilbert died in 1959, and Nellie raised their children as a single parent. Nellie and her children moved to San Angelo, Texas, in 1968, where she later met and married Marcus Balderas in 1977.

Nellie loved the Lord and instilled His love in the hearts of her family. They attended St. Joseph’s Church in Ballinger until 1968. After moving to San Angelo, they first attended St. Joseph’s Church and then Holy Angels Church.

Nellie leaves a legacy of caring for her family, her faith, and her community. She was a mother first and foremost, a loving and devoted wife, and an enthusiastic supporter of her children and husband’s activities. Her children fondly recall her being their Den Mother and Brownie Leader. Her husband gratefully remembers her support for his business activities and her delight in accompanying him on his business travels to Australia, Japan, Switzerland, Brazil, and Denmark.

She was an organist for St. Joseph’s Church in Ballinger and a Eucharistic Minister of Holy Angels Catholic Church in San Angelo. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Cursillistas Catolicas; and the Holy Angels Ladies Association

Nellie believed opportunity should be available for all. She served her community as a social worker for the Head Start Program and the Rio Vista Neighborhood Center and as Director of the Manpower Program. She was a member of the San Angelo City Commission Advisory Board seeking improved employment and education opportunities and women’s social, civic, and political participation.

Nellie was a proud member of the San Angelo Business and Professional Woman’s Club, politically active in seeking passage of the Equal Rights Amendment in 1972, and a charter member of San Angelo LULAC Council #637, later serving as Director.

Survivors: Nellie is survived by: her husband of forty-four years, Marcus Balderas; four children: Gilbert ‘Gil’ (Gail) Armendariz Jr., John M. Armendariz, Rebecca (Adam) Armendariz Martinez, and Robert W. Armendariz; step-daughters Elizabeth Balderas and Yvette (Noe) Balderas Cortez; daughter-in-law Rafaela Armendariz; son-in-law Elias Rodriguez; and siblings, Vera Rodriguez Gonzales, Belia Rodriguez Pena, Abraham Rodriguez Jr., Alberto Rodriguez, and Linda Rodriguez Jacoby.

Surviving Grandchildren include: Josh Reid Armendariz, Andy (Lana) Armendariz, Angela Armendariz, Peter R. Armendariz Jr., Amanda Armendariz, Amber (R. Michael) Castilleja, Analisa (James) Guevara, Michael (Michelle) Martinez Sr., Adam Martinez Jr., Alonzo (Jade) Martinez, and Lora K. Martinez, Jessica Lynn (James) Pruitt Nellie Darlene (J.R.) Junek, Kahlil Armendariz, Autumn Armendariz, Christopher Day, Belinda Rupp, Richard Ybarra, Chris Ybarra, Jasmine Stewart, Joe (Christie) Pina, and Susie (A.J.) Bowman. Thirty great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends also survive her.

Preceded in death by her mother, Katie Trevino Rodriguez; stepmother, Juanita Ortegon Rodriguez; father, Abraham Flores Rodriguez Sr.; first husband, Gilbert Armendariz Sr.; son, Peter R. Armendariz Sr.; daughter, Linda Armendariz Rodriguez; daughter-in-law, Sonia Garza Armendariz; three grandchildren and a great-grandson. Her siblings also precede her: Nora Rodriguez Patena, Honofre Rodriguez, Janie Rodriguez Windes, Gilbert Rodriguez, and grandparents: Juan Pedro Torres Trevino & Simona Cadena; Jesus Rodriguez & Brigida Flores and other family members.

Visitation and Rosary: Nellie’s family will receive friends on Friday, September 10th from 5 to 7 pm, at Johnson’s Funeral Home, 435 W Beauregard Ave, San Angelo, TX. Following the visitation, A Holy Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. at the funeral home chapel.

Services and Interment: Most Reverend Charles Greenwell will celebrate A Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 2309 S A&M Ave, San Angelo on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 10 am. Interment will follow in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 1501 W. Ave N, San Angelo, Texas.

Memorial Contributions: You may make memorial contributions in Nellie’s memory to Hospice of San Angelo 1933 University Ave, San Angelo, TX 76904 or Holy Angels Church, 2202 Rutgers, San Angelo, TX 76904.

Online Obituary and Guest Book: You may view the obituary, sign the guest book and send a sympathy message online at: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/san-angelo-tx/johnsons-funeral-home/7512

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com for the Balderas family.