Willie Dell Hernandez

Mrs. Willie Dell Hernandez entered peacefully into the arms of Jesus on May 24, 2024. She was born on March 10, 1937 at her family homeplace in the rural area of Winnsboro, Texas. Dell was the 10th out of 12 children born to Tom L. Lawrence and Willie Mayetta (Wheat) Lawrence. Her Christian parents were faithful in serving God and attending their small country church. Their children knew Jesus at a very young age. Dell loved to sing the old gospel hymns and would find herself many times as a child with her younger brother, Tommy, singing in the adult choir much to the urging of their father.

She learned responsibility at an early age from her parents. Her mother taught her how to cook at 9 years old. Many of her older siblings had moved away to start their own family. She cooked family meals and took care of her younger siblings while her dad was working at the saw mill and her mom was plowing fields on the farm. Dell became a wonderful cook and baker and was very well known for her famous homemade chocolate pies. During her lifetime she had several different occupations which included: an x-ray technician at MD Anderson Hospital, a telephone switch board operator, an apartment complex leasing manager, a nurse’s aide, a truck driver for a toy company, a farmer/rancher, and a homemaker. Also, she went to North Harris Community College and received her state license as a hairdresser. She took her final test in Austin, Tx and scored the highest grade ever given up to that point. She was a wonderful hairdresser for both women and men.

Dell loved sports especially baseball. She loved watching the Houston Astros and took her children to Astros ball games in the Astrodome. Her favorite player was Jose’ Altuve. Her granddaughter, Melissa, met Altuve at the airport and had a picture taken with him. It proudly hangs on Dell’s wall at her home. She watched their games on TV and would get excited and yell “CHARGE! Go Astros!” whenever an Astros run was scored or they hit a home run. Oh, yes… boy would she would yell “ Boo Rangers” when Texas Rangers played the Astros. Also, in high school, Dell played for the Lady Red Raiders girls basketball team at the guard position. Some would even say that she was the best player on the team. Her hobbies included: baking, gardening, canning, crafting, sewing, and dancing with her hubby.

Dell was married to the love of her life, Hector, for 48 ½ years. They did pretty much everything together. They owned a neighborhood grocery store, farmed, camped, went antique shopping, sewed, and even wore matching clothing from time to time. On their farm, they raised cows, goats, pigs, chickens, guineas, rabbits, dogs, and birds. They loved just sitting outdoors and watching nature all around them and especially the sun rising and setting. They would stargaze at night. They built their home and fences together. They turned their 30 acres of land and trees into a scenic and peaceful place to live in the country. They grew beautiful flowers and trees ie Crepe Myrtles, and roses of many colors. Yes, they truly did a lot of things together.

Dell was a remarkable seamstress. She was a perfectionist with her sewing. Never a crooked stitch would she sew. She especially specialized in quilting. Her beautiful homemade quilts were one of a kind. Each were her own creation along with the help of her beloved Hector. They even did this together! His mother taught him to embroidery as a young boy. He is an expert and a perfectionist at that. They both designed the quilt patterns. Dell would sew the quilt blocks together and Hector would do his embroidery designs on them. So you see, God knew what He was doing when he put these two lovebirds together. Hector said it best: “Some people never find their true love. Thanks to God, I found mine in Dell and she found hers in me.”

Dell loved God with all her heart, mind, soul, and strength. Jesus worked miracles in her life. One night when sleeping, she was awaken to see in front of her big bold letters that read “ WIN SOULS FOR CHRIST”. She faithfully lived her life to the fullest doing just that by witnessing to others and her family the Gospel of Jesus Christ and by praying daily for husband, children, grandchildren, and others. Both she and her husband, Hector, would serve God faithfully thru their singing ministry weekly on Mondays for 22+ years at their local nursing home. Hector would play his guitar and Dell would play her tambourine and they would sing the old gospel hymns to the residents and staff there. They were nicknamed: Johnny Cash and June Carter.

Dell was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was much loved and will be missed by all who knew her. We are sad for our loss but rejoice knowing that she is at peace with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and celebrating in her new eternal heavenly home with her family that has gone on before her.

Dell is preceded in death by: her beloved parents (Tom and Willie Lawrence), baby daughter (Connie Lee French), grandsons: Christopher Hernandez, and Christian Skains, and 10 siblings (RB Lawrence, TB Lawrence, JV Lawrence, TL Lawrence, ST Lawrence, Tommy Lawrence, Jessie Lemons, Bessie Nitzsche, Wanda Rodd, and Frances Sparks) and several nephews and nieces. She is survived by: her beloved husband Hector Hernandez, daughters: Kathy Waggoner and husband Mike, and Tina Hernandez; her sons: Eddie French and wife Beverly, Hector David Hernandez Jr., Marcus Hernandez and wife Kimberly, and Adrian Hernandez; Sister: Geraldine (Jerrie) Akin, 13 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, other family members (including her beloved dogs Eve and Daisy), and friends.

After a very long illness, she is not suffering or in pain any longer. Special thanks to the wonderful people that cared for Dell from the Brazos Valley Hospice Care Team of nurses, social workers, aides, chaplain, and volunteers. Her family very much appreciates all of them and the many prayers for her and her family. God answered them all.

Pallbearers:

Adrian Hernandez, Marcus Hernandez, Hector David Hernandez Jr., Stephen Waggoner, Jeremy French, David Hernandez, Matthew Hernandez, Andy Hernandez

Honorary Pallbearers:

Brian Geary, Pete Akin, Warren David Akin (in spirit), George Hernandez, and Ricky Woods

In Lieu of Flowers the family has asked for family and friends to please make donations to Brazos Valley Hospice or The Gideon's International.

A visitation for Willie will be held Thursday, May 30, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Earthman Resthaven, 13102 North Fwy, Houston, TX 77060. A visitation will occur Friday, May 31, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, 13102 North Fwy, Houston, TX 77060. A funeral service will occur Friday, May 31, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM, 13102 North Fwy, Houston, TX 77060. A graveside service will occur Friday, May 31, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home and Cemetery, 13102 North Fwy, Houston, TX 77060.