Etelvina Hernandez

Etelvina Servin Hernandez (85) went into the arms of our Lord on Monday, January 20, 2014 surrounded by her family at her bedside. Etelvina was born in Michoacán, Mexico and raised in Mexico City. She married Eusebio Hernandez of Houston, TX. in 1953 and they made Houston their home were they raised their six children: Sam (Barbara), Carlos (Carol), Eusebio, Jr. (Maria), Monica (Adrian), Maribel (Enrique), Jack (Claudia) and grandchildren: Laura, Luis, William, Thomas, Victor, Christina, Carly, Monica, Thomas, Nina, Rafael, and Marisa. She is also survived by brothers Rafael Servin from Mexico City; Aurelio Servin from Tijuana, Mexico; sister Consuelo Valdez from Mexico City; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Etelvina was known as “La Guerra” because of her blond hair, the second of 10 children, she was raised by her grandmother Paula Alvarez. She attended a private boarding school “Academia de la Divina Infantita in Coyoacan, Mexico. At the age of 14 she decided to leave school and work full time to help support her family. She worked as a laboratory technician in Mexico City from 1947-1953. Etelvina, known for her beauty and service to her church, was voted “Reyna of the Fiestas Patrias” in her neighborhood.

In the fall of 1951 she met Eusebio “Chebo” Hernandez , a United States Army Sargent, while he was vacationing in Mexico City with Etelvina’s U.S. cousin “Ciri” Cena, a fellow military friend. The couple began a long distance courtship of letters, phone calls and a few more visits. Since Eusebio didn’t know how to read or write Spanish, he asked a friend to write his letters and read her letter to him. The couple had a civil wedding on May 19, 1953, and then began the required paperwork for her to move to the U.S. They were then married at her family church on December 27, 1953 in Mexico City. The couple drove back to Houston along with her father-in-law Zacarias Hernandez (whose attendance was required by the father of the bride) and a cousin.

The newlywed couple arrived in Houston on December 30 in order for Eusebio to arrive on time for work on New Year’s Eve at the famous Shamrock Hilton Hotel. The couple never had a real honeymoon instead Etelvina arrived to an army duffel bag full of clothes to be washed. The family resided on Edison Street for nearly six decades. Etelvina worked tirelessly for her family, making handmade tortillas, tamales, galletas, and other delicious Mexican dishes. Because her husband worked six days a week and was in the army reserves, she basically raised her children on her own.

Etelvina began a successful career with Mary Kay Cosmetics in 1971, and was recognize on three separate occasions as the National Queen of Personal Sales. She became a sales director in 1978 and was a pioneer for Mary Kay within the Hispanic community. She inspired a multitude of woman from many backgrounds with her story. Her opportunity and career in Mary Kay Cosmetics changed her life completely as she was recognized with numerous cars, mink coats, diamonds, and other awards for a job well done. Her husband helped as her first business manager, then her niece Margarita Bustamante, was known as her “right hand” and lived with the family to help Etelvina as her secretary for many years. All her children contributed in various ways to help in the family business whether it was in transportation, helping around the house, taking care of customer calls, or the cosmetic inventory. Her eldest daughter Monica was especially helpful as a child and in later years assisting her mom when she was no longer able to conduct the day to day business activities. Etelvina, an Executive Sales Director, retired from Mary Kay after 39 years in December of 2011,

Etelvina will be dearly missed by all her family and loved ones. Her legacy will live on in the lives that were touch and people she inspired.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Mary Kay Charitable Foundation, P.O. Box 799044, Dallas, TX 75379-9044