Rose Hernandez

Rose was born on October 17, 1938, to Jubencio and Angela Hernandez in the Armourdale district of Kansas City, KS. She was a survivor of the 1951 flood thanks to a mandate to evacuate children only hours before the area flooded and washed away the family home. As a youth, she enjoyed spending summers with her grandmother in Greeley, CO where she honed her faith and independent spirit.

As a young adult, she pioneered as the seedling of her own family tree. She raised children (Chris Castaneda, Roseanna (Castaneda) Tinoco, Richard Walker, Reggie Smith, Andre Smith, and Cecil Smith) in an environment that presented a constant state of chaos. The family would be ripped apart on several occasions only to find strength in healing and rebuilding.

She will always be remembered by her children as the chief administer of tough love. She made difficult calls when our safety was on the line, and she pushed us to become the best version of ourselves. On a few memorable occasions, our mother wept due to the pressures that surrounded her small family yet filled with self-determination she pushed forward.

Rose was a working single parent. She was a clerk with the Jackson County Courthouse and was often called on to provide translation services to Spanish speakers in court. She relied on public transportation yet was first to arrive to turn on the lights on her floor. Her second job was a ticket taker and crowd security for area concerts and events, providing an opportunity to rub shoulders with the stars and enjoy good music while making a few extra dollars for her family.

The family she began would grow stronger and the road a little smoother with the help of various angels placed on the path along with the addition of new family members by marriage (Tony Tinoco spouse of Roseanna, Jennifer (Rodemann) Smith spouse of Andre and Samira (Youssef) Walker spouse of Richard).

Her family tree has grown and is in a season of flowering thanks to her grandchildren (Nicholas Tinoco, Jacqueline Tinoco, Michaela Tinoco, Rico Walker III, Maxwell Smith, Sydney Smith, and Ava Smith), her future grandchild (Lina Basquero fiancée to Nicholas Tinoco) and her great-grandchild (Mila Tinoco).

In retirement, she enjoyed talking about her grandchildren, playing bingo with her friends at Guadalupe Centers, adding sweets into her shopping carts, and discussing NBA basketball.

The funeral will be a private ceremony with only close family members present.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Guadalupe Centers (https://guadalupecenters.org/). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleymidtownchapel.com for the Hernandez family.