Carmen Silva began her business career working at the El Paso National Bank as secretary to the Vice Presidents, including Sam D, Young, Sr. Her husband, Jose A. Silva, Sr. was her partner in life and in business. Joe and Carmen owned Silva’s Super Market and worked tirelessly to create a successful business to pass down to their children. She also helped her husband in the founding of Tri-State Associated Grocers. Together with her husband and two sons, Carmen, helped initiate the Hispanic television station KINT Channel 26.
Carmen was highly active in the El Paso community. She served on the board of the Woman’s Department of the Chamber of Commerce for many years. She donated her time to the El Paso Rehabilitation Center Auxiliary Group. Carmen was the past president and life member of the St. Patrick’s Cathedral Altar Society. She was a charter member and served as president of the El Paso Ikebana International #128 Club for flower arranging from Japan. She was an active member and past president (1970-1971) of the Desert Hills Garden Club of El Paso. She was a lifetime member of the El Paso County Historical Society and a member of the El Paso Symphony Guild.
Carmen’s civic passion was the Woman’s Club of El Paso. She was an active member and past president (2000-2001) of the Woman’s Club of El Paso. She worked hard to save the club’s old and beautiful historical building on Mesa Street and was a proud board member of the Historical and Charitable Trust of the Woman’s Club.
Carmen is preceded in death by her husband Jose Silva, Sr., her brother Armando Barragan and her sister Isela Dominguez.
Carmen always worked hard in all she did, but she always had time for her greatest joy, her family. She is survived by her son Martin Silva (Jo Anne); son Joe Silva, Jr. (Patricia); and daughter Cynthia Manzanares (Robert). Carmen is also survived by her six grandchildren: Lisa Rascón (Alex), Martin James Silva (Tricia), Monica Morales (Roy), Cristina Silva (Christopher), Jose Silva, III and Sara Silva (Ken); her six great grandchildren: Aidan, Maura, Demetri, Victoria, Cristian, and Cedric; sister Hope Grado (Gilbert), brother Ed Barragan.
Rosary will be Thursday, April 29, 2021, at 10:00am, with a funeral mass at 10:30am at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 1118 N. Mesa. Interment will follow for family only at Fort Bliss National Cemetery in accordance with Covid protocol. Pallbearers are Jose A. Silva III, Martin James Silva, Alex Rascón, Aidan Rascón, Christopher McPeak and Louie Barragan. Rosary and mass will be live streamed at www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/el-paso-tx/carmen-silva-10158762. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com for the Silva family.
We would like to thank Carmen’s caregivers, Dolores Cardiel and Claudia Cardiel for taking care of her like family. Thank you to Tender Care Home Health and Hospice, especially her nurses Claudia and Joslyn. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Woman’s Club of El Paso at 1400 N. Mesa, El Paso, TX 79902, attn. memorial or St. Patrick’s Cathedral at saintpatrickcathedral.org.
