Valentina J. Hernandez

Valentina J. Hernandez, surrounded by her children, was called home to be with her Lord on November 10, 2023, in San Antonio, Texas at the blessed age of 85. Valentina was born to Esteban and Rita Ortiz Juarez in Lockhart, Texas on Valentine’s Day of 1938. Mom will forever be our “Valentine.” It was always a huge celebration on February the 14th, red balloons, red hearts, and the biggest and sweetest cake we could find filled with candles.

Valentina moved to San Antonio at a very young age where her family began a long and blessed life. She was proud of attending Knox Elementary, Charles Graebner Elementary, and Luther Burbank High School. It was in high school where she met David, and they became high school sweethearts and later married in June of 1957.

Valentina often spoke fondly of her various jobs working downtown in retail stores. Her longest tenured job was working the front register at Guadalupe Lumber Company. She was always grateful to the Grothues family for giving her the opportunity to provide for her family. Mom spent her retirement years being around her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved decorating her home for every holiday. Her favorite holiday was Christmas and she loved decorating her home with the Christmas spirit. She enjoyed watching “The Golden Girls,” the Hallmark channel, and gameshows, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Her chicken mole and potato salad were a favorite at our family gatherings.

Mom taught us many life lessons; be a hard worker at whatever you choose to do, be good to others, and to always look for the good in people. Most notably, she taught us the importance of God and family. Her greatest wish was for her family to stay close and always take care of one another. She loved worshipping in her church, Templo Elim, under the direction of her brother, Rev. Gerardo Juarez. We will miss her cooking, her laughter, and her advice, but most of all, we will miss her motherly love.

Valentina is preceded in death by her parents; husband, David R. Hernandez; sister, Mary Morales; brother, Rev. Gerardo Juarez; sister-in-law, Bertha Davila; brothers-in-law, Francisco Vasquez and Robert Hernandez; and several nieces and nephews.

Valentina is survived by her children, Rachel Ann (Anthony) Gonzales, David J. (Ruth) Hernandez Jr., Daniel (Roxanne) Hernandez, and Maria Alicia Hernandez; grandchildren, Danielle A. Hernandez, David Hernandez III, Katherine N. Hernandez, Abigail M. (David) Guel, Alyssa M. Hernandez, Michael A. (Megan) Gonzales, Phil S. Hernandez, and Sarah A. Gonzales; great-grandchildren, Daniel Ray Cerna, Dylan B. Moncada, Penelope E. Moncada, and Ciara F. Cerna. Valentina is also survived by her cherished sisters-in-law, Beatrice Juarez, Rachel Sanderson, Yolanda Diaz, Irma Gallegos, Linda Vasquez, Sylvia Nieves, and Norma Rodriguez; as well as many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

We are comforted in knowing she is now in the presence of her Lord and Savior.

Psalm 121...lift up my eyes to the mountains

The family will receive guests from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 19, 2023, at Porter Loring Mortuary.

EVENING SERVICESUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 20237:00 P.M.PORTER LORING MORTUARY1101 MCCULLOUGH AVE

FUNERAL SERVICEMONDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 20231:00 P.M.PORTER LORING MORTUARY

Interment will follow at Mission Burial Park South.