Graciela Norma Hernandez Dr. Salazar

Dr. Graciela Norma Hernández Salazar has been a beacon of light in Kleberg County, since she began her higher education at Texas A&I University in the early 60's. A Brownsville native, she transferred to Texas A&I University to pursue a double major in Mathematics and Spanish.

As a senior, her picture appeared in the local paper, when she was selected as duchess of her university math club. Her future husband, Armando, a recent graduate and master's degree candidate, viewed her picture in the local newspaper and then decided to pursue her-vigorously. His dream to become a public-school principal and cattle rancher, one day, now included her becoming his bride. Grace was happy to oblige - for 53 years.

Dr. Salazar was often heard saying, "Education is the one thing that can never be taken away from you." She was a consummate educator and community activist, having retired from KISD with over 35 years of service, as a former chairperson of Modern Languages and principal of the alternative school at H. M. King High, where she was named "Teacher of the Year." She gladly undertook the role of professor at Texas A&M-Kingsville, where she proudly-became president of the Doctoral Association and an active member of numerous University Steering committees, including the TAMUK President's Legacy Ball.

Ubiquitous at county ribbon-cuttings, commission meetings and social gatherings, no one could have possibly asked for more from Dr. Salazar than she would happily deliver. She was a Noon Lion's Club member, an Ambassador of the Chamber of Commerce, a Kleberg County Historical Commission member, Kingsville Symphony Guild, serving on the Library Board, Retired Teachers Association and officer of many of those organizations.

However, she was most-happily "Dr. Mom" to her family - turning personal sacrifice into degrees and sweat equity into acclaim for their endeavors, alongside her beloved Armando, three children, and seven grandchildren. Salazar Beefmaster Ranches is still thriving, having recently-been awarded Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion for entries at both the Houston and San Antonio Livestock Shows and Rodeos.

Reflecting on their 53-year marriage, her husband said, "It's hard to know which is greater - my respect for her... or my love. She was fiercely-dedicated to everything she attempted....and that included loving me and the children. For that, my heart overflows with admiration, love and gratitude." She has been "his rock", his greatest fan, his partner, his reason to aspire for the best things that life can offer..."next to hunting and his Yankees."

She was a major advocate for children's charities, for empowerment of the women, such as the Kingsville Divas, through higher education, community education and political activism, and was a major supporter of the arts community, especially symphonic performances.

Countless hours were spent personally-tending calves and overseeing the family ranch, but her own inner sanctum was lined with her beloved books on the one end and an unobstructed view of each sunrise - glowing on the horizon of her beloved ranch - at the other.

For her, the sky was the limit. Her mantra: "Anything dreamed can be accomplished..."one class at a time." This is how she achieved her own dream of becoming a Doctor of Education, counselor, professor, ranch administrator, activist, mentor, beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend. To her children, she is a major inspiration. Calling them her "best creations", she believed that they were her proof to the world of an irrepressible will to overcome any obstacle - tackling, analyzing, troubleshooting - as if each and every problem were her own. She has often-maintained that her children inspired her - when the truth has always been quite-the-opposite.

Her family, innumerable students, colleagues, and friends in the Kingsville community, who were fortunate to witness her work a social event, her passion in the classroom, her devotion to worthy causes, tending her beloved family ranch, and dedication to community and public service, were left with an indelible impression of her unique zeal for life. Always dressed-to-the-nines, many friends recall her contagious smile, uplifting words, compassionate understanding, and honorable deeds - particularly studying the past to revise history, when appropriate and necessary.

Penultimate to all of those was her ability to maintain "grace under pressure" and "get things done." She eagerly-hurdled social barriers, advocated equally for loved ones and dearest friends, as "a lovely - but worthy adversary - always with dignity and Grace." Her undeniable curiosity for politics, her profound appreciation for music, (such as teaching herself piano), her vast book knowledge, innate wisdom, and eternal optimism that radiated from a profound inner beauty. She exemplified her name - "Grace".

Dr. Graciela Norma Hernández Salazar is survived by her devoted husband of 53 years, Armando (Arce) Salazar, Jr., of Salazar Beefmaster Ranches; her daughter, Rosalinda Salazar Snuggs and son-in-law, Terry Robert "Trey" Snuggs, II, of Fort Worth; a daughter, Lori D'nese Salazar Strubhart and son-in-law, Sergeant Major (retired) U.S. Army Dennis Paul Strubhart, of San Antonio; a son, Dr. Armando (Tres) Salazar, III, and daughter-in-law, Dr. Phoebe Thurber-Salazar, of Los Fresnos; her brother, José Enrique Hernandez and sister-in-law, Diana, of Houston; her sister, Yolanda Solís and brother-in-law, Héctor Solís of Brownsville, her sister, María Elena Zakem, of Houston; and sister-in-law, Janice Brashear Hernandez, widow of her brother, Hector Hernandez of Brownsville; seven grandchildren, Kendyl Rosalyn De La Garza Hale, Quentin Micael De La Garza, D'arce Anise De La Garza, Diego Pádraic Malone, Darién Grace Salazar Strubhart, Sophia Isabella Salazar and Armando Salazar, IV, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements include a private family gathering at the family ranch. A public memorial in her hometown of Kingsville and Scholarship fund (in lieu of flowers) in her name, will be announced in January 2017.