Santos Cortez Solis

Santos (Cortez) Solis gained her Angel Wings and flew toward her new life in haven on 12 Dec 2017. Now she is slow dancing with her husband and being with the many relatives that went there before her. Santos was born 24 Mar 1922, the daughter of Eudelio Cortez and Candida (Posada) Cortez. She was born on a ranch near Bebe, Gonzales County, Texas. She married Pedro Rios Solis on 24 Mar 1938 in Gillette, Texas. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Mission, Texas where their first child, Sara (Solis) Torres, was born on 12 Jan 1940, their son, Pedro Solis, Jr., was born on 17 Nov 1941, their daughter Virginia (Solis) Rodriguez, was born on 12 Jul 1943, their son David Solis, was born on 7 Apr 1946, in Mission Texas. Santos and Pedro then moved their family to California where their son Ruben Solis, was born on 16 Oct 1949 at Five Points Ranch, California. Santos was preceded in death by her father, Eudelio Cortez on 11 Mar 1924 her mother, Candida (Posada Cortez) Perez on 22 Mar 1988, her step-father (Candida’s second husband) Federico Perez on 9 Feb 1985, brother Jeronimo Posada Cortez on 15 Sep 2008, brother Antonio Cortez on 27 May 1946, step-brother, Federico Perez on 10 Oct 1994, her husband Pedro Rios Solis on 7 Oct 1996, her daughter, Sara (Solis) Torres on 28 Apr 1994, and son David Jose Solis on 13 Dec 2008. Santos is survived by her son Pedro Solis, Jr. and wife Catherine of Cave Creek, Arizona, Virginia (Solis) (widow) Rodriguez and Ruben Cortez Solis and wife Diane of Victorville, California, sister-in law Edelia (Rios Solis) (widow) Borrego of Victorville, California and her Baptismal God son Ricardo Diaz and wife Christina of Alta Loma, California. Many grandchildren, great grandchildren and some great-great grandchildren. Santos was a loving mother and friend to everyone that she came in contact with. She had one of the biggest, most genuine, and most loving hearts I have ever known. She was the type of person who loved unconditionally, regardless of a person’s flaws or imperfections. I am eternally grateful for her presence in my life She didn’t attend any formal school but she was one of the most educated and intelligent women I have known. She taught herself to read Spanish and speak English. She was known as “Ama, Mammasita, Abuela”, and many other names of endearment. Her home was a welcoming place for everyone that came to visit. Where no one left hungry. She could whip up a meal in minutes and fill her home with the aromas of home cooked Mexican foods. Her love of family included trips to various states to visit with family friends and relatives. Santos was always a hard working mother. In her earlier year she would sew hand made clothes from bean and flour sacks during those days when so many of us were poor. And later when they could afford it she would buy cloth materials and make clothes for all of her children. Santos raised all of her children in her religious Catholic faith and taught all of them their prayers. She loved to garden and wherever she lived she would always plant her garden of flowers, whether it was in Texas, Mississippi, or California. Her garden was always filled with an assortment of wild life, like her favorites of hummingbirds and butterflies, and birds that had many bird houses and feeders. She also loved to do embroidery, crocheting and quilting. She would then give to many of her children and grandchildren who cherish these gifts from dearly. During WWII, when her husband Pedro was in the US Army, she lived with Don “Tanis”, Estanislado Grimaldo’s family in Hollister California. After the war they moved back to Mission for a short time and then lived in Selby, Mississippi where they worked as sharecroppers. The family then moved to Five Points, California and In her mid forties she was still working in the fields thinning and picking cotton, a back breaking job in the hot sun. She would also have her children, that were old enough join her, go with her to work in the fields. In 1960 she and her family moved to Pomona, California, where her husband, Pedro, started work in constructing homes. After living in Pomona for many years they moved to Seguin, Texas, after Pedro retired, so Santos could be near her mother, Candida and step-father, Marcelino Perez, who were elderly and living in a convalescent home. After the passing of her parents Santos and Pedro moved to Fresno for a few years and then to Hesperia, California, where she lived for many years. After her husband died in 1996 she continued to live in their Hesperia home. When she needed assistance in her medical care and living assistance she lived with her son, Pedro, in Hesperia and Cave Creek, Arizona and then with her son Ruben in Victorville. Later when she needed more intensive an specialized care she elected to move to the Sierra Vista Assisted living facility in Victorville, California, where she spent her last days. She was lovingly cared for by the staff there and known as “Abuelita-Grandmother”. During her stay there she was visited by many relatives that she proudly introduce to the facility staff. During her last days of reminiscing about her life and relatives she asked that the ladies that are able to attend her funeral services wear a butterfly if they have one. She is now resting in Peace. I really miss my mom and dad.