Irene Robles

Two months before the depression hit, Irene was born to Alphonse Martin Avila, from Mexico City and to Emily Garcia Avila, of Voth, Texas. She was born on #16 Reisner Street, in Houston Texas, delivered by J. F. Matthew's. As a young girl she and her brother Al had a dog named Butch, that they loved so very much. She was also born with a natural affinity for plants, she once planted a fig tree, and it brought forth figs. When mom was a teenager, World War II began. She felt such compassion, for the soldiers, that she sent them care packages consisting of spam and Hershey bars, whether she knew them or not.

From her mother's side of the family, Irene was considered an eighth generation Texan, whose ancestors first came to Texas with the Spanish Armada 1772. Her ancestor who was in the Spanish Armada, when Texas belonged to Spain, and the thirteen colonies belonged to England, was granted land on the both sides of the Rio Grande, by the Spanish king, the land then, was a little more than a barren plain, studded with mesquite. The family attended both Pentecostal and Assembly of God churches. Mother was sent to Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso, Texas, a Methodist High School. In the spring time mom loved to play softball. Yet, if there were not enough volunteers to help out in the kitchen, she was often selected, because they loved her culinary skills. It was here, that she met a tall,lanky fellow named Gustavo Cuellar Robles, he was attending their boy's school. He eventually came to Houston to court our mother and they married in the Central Assembly of God Church on Sunday June 26th, 1949. Our mother had a great desire to be a registered nurse, but at that time, there were strict rules about being single, in order to pursue this vocation. Our mom had a vivacious zeal for living. She and my father would attend dances and parties. They became part of the Deca Club, which consisted of ten couples. Mother was a very hard working individual and she got a job at The National Biscuit Company, now known as The Nabisco Company.

Our parents bought a new home in the Braeburn Glenn subdivision on December 22, 1959, at 8831 Valley View Lane. When she learned to drive, she purchased a two toned gray and black four door" Buick Wild Cat." Even though she worked, she made time to be with her family. She cooked meals consisting of nutritious chicken, meats, vegetables, fruits, and salads. Occasionally, she hired ladies to help her out with the household duties. She loved to travel, and one of our most memorable vacations, was to The Grand Canyon, in Arizona. My parents also visited Washington D.C. among other states. We also traveled to Mexico City and San Fernando, Tamaulipas Mexico, (where our dad was born). Mom was the pillar of our family, she had wisdom, and grace and carried herself with dignity. We gratefully appreciate each and every one of our girls, that were there to assist us, with the care of our mother, during her illness. They are as follows, Heide Carrillo, Rita Batres, Victoria Facundo, Brenda Patino, Barbara Garcia Alvarez,

Maria de Santiago, Yanira Cruz, Blanca Aguilar, Rebecca Garcia, Manuela Rocha, Diana Diaz, Wendy Carrillio, Mariella Guzman, Maria Moncado, Xochital and Julianna Onofre, Yolanda Gil, Lourdes Garza, Jasmine Mathson and Rosa Morales. Mother was pre-deceased by her niece Carol Ann Avila, (named after (The Christmas Carol), her brother and sister in law Alphonse Martin Avila Jr. and his wife Margaret Avila. Mother is survived by her children, Karen Renee Robles, Ronald Craig Robles and Michael Gregory Robles. She is also survived by her brother's children, from his first marriage to Alice Mora Avila, Yvonne and Fay Avila. From our uncles second marriage to Margaret Avila, she is survived by Patricia Gaye Avila Renfro and her husband Nathan R. Renfro, and their son and daughter in law Nathan R. Renfro Jr. and Rose Renfro his wife. Also her nephew Alphonse Martin Avila III, her niece Carolyn Gail Avila Foster, her former husband Mike Foster Sr. and their son Michael Foster Jr. and Anthony Avila and his wife Stephanie.

Our mother who is 92 will be buried at Forest Park Lawndale on 6900 Lawndale Street, on October 7, 2021. The Colonial Chapel will be open at noon. Pastor Michel Heimoz will be officiating the services at 2:00 pm. The burial will be at 3:30pm, followed by a reception inside the facility for a complimentary dinner.