Irene Cortes King

Irene Cortes King was called home on her parent’s wedding anniversary, Sep. 6, 2020, after losing her courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis. She was surrounded by her loving family at her home in San Antonio, Texas. Ma’Rene, as she was affectionately known as by her Grandchildren was a kind and compassionate Mother, Sister, Aunt, Cousin and Friend.

Irene (Nena), the youngest of 8 children, was born on Oct. 4, 1949 in Nixon, Texas to Rafael and Antonia (Macharro) Cortes. Irene graduated from Nixon High School and immediately following her graduation moved to San Antonio where she started her career at USAA, as a file clerk at the original location on Broadway. She spent 31 years in various departments at USAA. Her most memorable job was as USAA’s Fleet Administrator, where she had the privilege of accepting a national award in New York City on behalf of the company. While at USAA she volunteered as a United Way Corporate Procurement Representative and in the Volunteer Corp where she worked on various projects. During her time at USAA while raising her two daughters, she attended college and graduated from Southwest Texas (now Texas State University) with a Bachelor of Applied Arts & Sciences. After retirement, in 2000, she devoted her life to the Catholic Church first as a Religious Coordinator for Prince of Peace and then continued to do God's work at the Archdiocese of San Antonio where she worked in the Tribunal office from 2006 - Sep. 2018.

Irene married Deacon Cyriaco V Barron Jr (C.V.), a friend she had known most of her life, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Nixon, on June 28, 1997. They were only married 11 months when they received the news of C.V.’s cancer diagnosis. Irene assisted in the care of her husband for the next 7 months before he was called home.

Irene enjoyed serving her Church community and was a founding parishioner of Prince of Peace Catholic Church. She and her daughters attended Prince of Peace when Masses were first held at Carlos Coone Elementary school’s cafeteria. Irene was an active member of her Church where she participated in the El Salvador Mission Ministries, the Guadalupano Society, Prince of Peace Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and Prince of Peace Retreat Ministry (ACTS). Irene also participated in the Catholic Women’s Conference yearly (since she couldn’t attend this year due to her health, she made over 100 bracelets that will be given to participants), Our Lady of Schoenstatt prayer group, Fabulous Holiday Brunch Leadership Committee for the SAC Women's Center GED Scholarship Fund, Deceased Diaconate Wives, and two bunco groups with some of her dear friends.

On August 10th, 2015, Irene Cortes King was honored by Governor Greg Abbott and the State of Texas as a Yellow Rose of Texas.

Irene loved to travel when she could. She went on various cruises, visited many states including Hawaii, participated in pilgrimages to Rome, Vatican City, & Jerusalem to name just a few. She also volunteered as a missionary to El Salvador as often as she could.

Irene is survived by her daughters, Stephanie King-Cerda and husband Mark Cerda: Patricia Lobo, Carolyn Barron and her grandchildren; Matthew Cerda, Katherine Cerda, Camille Cerda, Patrick Lobo, Jesus Lobo III, and Carmen Lobo. Sisters: Emilia Trigo, Terry Torres, and Antonia Medina, Brothers: Ramon Cortes and wife Rosa, Gilbert Cortes and wife Dora; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband: C.V. Barron Jr, Father: Rafael Cortes, Mother: Antonia (Macharro) Cortes, Brothers: Rafael Cortes Jr. and E.M. Cortes and wife Ninfa, Brother-in-laws: David Trigo and Deacon Dimas Medina, and Son-in-law: Jesus Lobo Jr.

Visitation will be at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 7893 Grissom Road San Antonio, TX, 78251 on Thursday, September 24, 2020 at 9:00 A.M. with a rosary at 9:30 A.M and a funeral mass at 10:00 A.M. Interment will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Nixon, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Prince of Peace Catholic Church in memory of Irene King. All funds received will be used to set up a scholarship fund for the El Salvador Mission Ministry in loving memory of Irene. It was a ministry that was dear to her heart.