Maria Arrellano, our beloved mother and grandmother, passed away on Monday, September 16, 2024 at her residence in Falfurrias, Texas at the age of 81. She was born on June 5, 1943 to Cecilio Navarro and Aurora Morales Navarro in Mission, Texas. Mom worked many jobs throughout her lifetime including employment with Side Door Café and the local nursing home.
She absolutely adored watching her novellas and the SciFi channel and would make us laugh by saying "Puro mentiras!". She looked forward to daily phone calls from her children, family and friends and catching up with the community news. She was the biggest supporter of her children and adored them beyond words can explain. She kept every newspaper clipping of her sons' achievements. Her heart was full when her boys were in the living room watching football and talking sports. She'd just sit in her chair and listen. You could often find a visitor in her living room keeping her updated on family and friends. She loved wearing red lipstick and getting ready for her visits to the Center. Menudo and sweet treats were her favorite. She was our "Miss America" and she'd giggle and blush when we lovingly called her that. Life wasn't always easy for mom, but she sacrificed because the love for her boys and her family was immense and unmeasurable. She always had a candle lit for St. Jude and her home was filled with love and warmth.
She is preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Yolanda Grijalva; granddaughters, Ana Liza Garza and Crystal Grijalva; brothers, Ruben “Wolfer” Mejia and Guadalupe “Raton” Ramos and sisters, Aurora Davila, San Juanita Ramos and Viola Ramos.
Mom will deeply be missed beyond measure by her two sons, Leroy Hinojosa of Laredo, Texas and Moses (Araceli) Mora currently of San Antonio, Texas; sisters, Lily Garcia, Graciela Charles and Debbie Morales; four grandchildren, Brenda Grijalva, Leonel Perez, Leah Mora and Sky Saenz; seven great-grandchildren, Kayla Ramirez, Dalilah Mendiola, Leon Mendiola, Levi Perez, Landyn Perez, Layla Perez and K’Lonnie Hernandez and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Rosary will be prayed at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 20, 2024 at the Funeraria Del Angel Howard Williams in Falfurrias with Visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Falfurrias.
