Carmen Cervantes Briones

Carmen Cervantes Briones, 89, of Overland Park, KS, passed away on May 31, 2021. Carmen was born March 3, 1932, in Lyman, Nebraska. She married Luther Briones on December 31, 1950. Carmen had a servant's heart working at local hospitals: St. Mary’s Hospital and Trinity Lutheran, where she managed Environmental Services. That didn't stop her from raising 7 beautiful children, sometimes independently, while Luther was off in the Army and the Korean War. Carmen loved family; first, she found peace in celebrating life: dancing and singing (her stage was her kitchen), and family was randomly pulled into whatever music was playing. Carmen was no stranger to sacrifice she cooked often; she regularly welcomed all to fill their bellies. Love was her language, and she instilled it in her family. She was the type of woman that would give up her share for someone else. Loving Carmen was easy because her nature was so nurturing and warm. She was also the family's mighty prayer warrior; Carmen was a resiliently strong woman. If you asked her to pray for you, she fulfilled faithfully, announcing your name out loud to our heavenly Father, whose nightly prayers seemed to last forever. At the end of her life on earth, she was surrounded by loved ones. Carmen was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, godmother, and friend to all. She was a woman of integrity, a true matriarch who touched many souls. She will be intensely and deeply missed.

Carmen was preceded in death by her parents Alberto Cervantes, Salu Abarca Cervantes, siblings Cuca, Tito, Mac, and Angelina. She is survived by her brother John, sisters Teresa and Linda. Carmen and Luther had 7 children; Manuel, Pauline, Luke, Arthur, Betty, Bernadette, and Mark; 16 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren. In addition to the direct descendants of Carmen, many extended families are part of a magnificent representation of love. An extraordinary mention to 2 young men Carmen loved as sons, men who helped the siblings care for Carmen throughout her last years, to Theodore Johnston and Daniel Evans, Bless You!

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 9:30 am at Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, 7023 W. 71st Street, Overland Park, KS. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 10:30 am at Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, 7023 W. 71st Street, Overland Park, KS. Committal Service will be held on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 1:30 pm at Leavenworth National Cemetery, 150 Muncie Road, Leavenworth, KS. The services will be live-streamed via Queen of the Holy Rosary Church and will remain online for those who can't attend in person.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church.