Anita M. Riojas

Anita was born to Juan G. and Lamar C. Maldonado on May 26,1944 in Sejita, Texas, a small community in Duval County.

Anita grew up in Falfurrias, Texas, and attended Falfurrias High School where she played drums/percussion in the high school band. She also attended Del Mar College.

She married Robert R. Riojas on August 13, 1966, and together they made their home in Corpus Christi, Texas. They raised 3 daughters based on traditional family values and emphasized a strong work ethic. Anita recognized each of her daughters were unique and expressed a special kind of love for each.

During her life as a wife and mother, Anita focused on her homemaking skills and artistic talents. She kept an immaculate home and was a great cook. When the girls were young, Anita took the time to sew beautiful outfits for them. She was an avid gardener and, working with her husband’s help, always made sure the yard and landscape were thriving and well-maintained. Anita loved celebrating Halloween and Valentine’s Day and went out of her way to give small gifts or send messages of love and caring to her children and grandchildren on those occasions.

Anita was a breast cancer survivor and volunteered for the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Center at Bay Area Hospital. She was also a parent volunteer at her daughters’ schools. Anita loved living on the coast and enjoyed going to the beach and fishing. She enjoyed home decor, and collecting shoes, handbags and novelties. Anita had a love for flowers and plants and could make anything beautiful with her many talents in sewing, refinishing and home decorating. Anita’s special pets, now deceased, were Chico & Biggy Smalls.

Over the years, she cherished time with her grandchildren, and even as she grew older and less energetic, she always kept track of their accomplishments and whereabouts, and spent time with them, telling stories, sharing recipes, and making them laugh.

Anita is survived by her husband, Robert Riojas, and daughters: Suzelle Tinnell (William), Geralyn Tipton (Damon Alsup), and Lori Anne Riojas (Rick Gandy); grandchildren, Jake Barron, Anisa Quarles, John Brake, Madison Bertschinger, Morgan Beiler, Mya Tipton, and Cole Tipton; great- grandchildren, Mavis, Penelope and Iris; as well as siblings Niria Koern and Juan Maldonado; and many nieces and nephews, as well as her precious long-haired chihuahua, Bella Rose.

She was preceded in death by her parents Lamar Lozano and Juan Maldonado, and siblings, Sophia Hernandez, Eduardo Maldonado, Robert Maldonado.

An open visitation service will be held on Friday, August 29, 2025, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at Memory Gardens Funeral Home. A private family visitation is scheduled for 9:00 am beforehand. Friends and family are welcome to gather at the Tinnell home for food and fellowship after the visitation service.

A burial service will be held at 1:00 pm on September 10, 2025, at the Coastal Bend Veteran’s Cemetery in Corpus Christi, TX.

The family would also like to extend heartfelt thanks to all family and friends who gave generously of their time helping the family before and after Anita’s passing.