Minnie Casas Hernandez

Minnie Casas Hernandez passed away peacefully of natural causes, surrounded by friends and family, song and prayer, on January 8, 2011. She will be remembered by her family and community for her gentle hospitality, infinite patience, graceful beauty and humility.

Born in 1920 in Gonzales, Texas, to Baldomero Casas and Antonia Gonzalez Casas, she came to Houston with her family at a young age. She attended Sherman Elementary, John Marshall Junior High, and Jefferson Davis High School.

As a young woman, she caught the eye of Alfred J. Hernandez, Sr., while roller-skating one day; her skirts swirled as she turned a corner, and his heart was hers. He asked her father for her hand five times before receiving approval, and in 1942 they married. The two stayed romantic throughout their lives for 68 years, dancing together, serenading, and staying side-by-side until parted by death in 2010.

Minnie spent her life as a devoted mother to her three children and a support to her husband, who went on to become a passionate supporter of Hispanic civil rights, the first Latino judge in Harris County, and a three-term National President of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). Together they were invited to dinner at the White House by President and Ladybird Johnson. Minnie also managed the couple’s business interests: El Jalapeño, a wholesale spice supplier, and El Tapatio, a downtown restaurant.

Her community involvement reflected her nurturing ways and love for her neighborhood, Lindale Park. She served as Den Mother to a Cub Scout troop at the Wesley House Community Center; was a member of the LULAC Ladies’ Council #22; and was deeply involved with St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, where she was a member of the Altar Society and sang in the Spanish Choir. The parties that she and her husband held were community events, in which all were welcome and good food, dancing, and singing were enjoyed by everyone.

In 1994, the Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority, METRO, awarded the Hernandez Family their Saludo a La Familia Hispana, which recognized ongoing contributions by families of note of Hispanic origin in the Houston area. The award echoed the pride and love Minnie felt for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and their accomplishments. Their well-being and education were her highest priorities.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Judge Alfred J. Hernandez, Sr., her son, John Joseph Hernandez; and her siblings J.B. Casas, Sr., Herlinda Jasso, Raul Casas, Josephine Quartermaine, and Richard Casas. She is survived by sisters Annie Fontenot and husband Jimmy Fontenot, Vera Gomez and husband Robert Gomez; her children Dr. Alfred J. Hernandez, Jr. and wife Kathleen Hernandez, and Anna Juarez and fiancé Michael Bowlin; grandchildren Katelena Hernandez Cowles and husband James Cowles, Marc Hernandez and wife Angela Milliman, Matthew Juarez and fiancée Lizeth Garza, Lucas Juarez, and Elizabeth Hernandez; great-grandchildren Emily Torrance, Celia Cowles, Edwin Barnhart, Gabriel Cowles, Eleanor Barnhart, Kyan Hernandez Chen and Inara Jade Hernandez; sisters-in-law Hope Holguin and Amelia Mireles; brother-in-law Augustin Hernandez and wife Connie Hernandez; and numerous extended family.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2242 West Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77030.

All services will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 4918 Cochran, Houston, Texas.

Visitation: Tuesday, January 11, 5 to 8 pm. Rosary will be recited at 7 pm.

Funeral mass: Wednesday, January 12, 10 am, followed by interment at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.