Rufina V. Villarreal Gonzalez

Rufina V. Gonzalez passed away Sunday December 12, 2010 at Sherwood Place. She was born July 12, 1924 in Del Rio, Texas. She married Manuel E. Gonzalez Jr. on November 11, 1940 in Uvalde, Texas.

She was married to Manuel for 40 years and it was a life filled with hard work and wonder. Rufina caught Manuel’s eye when he would play basketball in Del Rio. Rufina and Manuel arrived in Odessa after World War II and opened Odessa Tortilla Factory, which later became the base for Manuel’s Crispy Taco Restaurant. Through their hard work they prospered and grew. Rufina and Manuel were one of the first Hispanics to be awarded a Coors Beer distributorship in Del Rio, Texas. She garnered many awards The Odessa Heritage and Odessa Hispanic awards were a couple of many. After Manuel died she never let the fact that she was by herself impede her from doing community work, like The Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary to which she became President and Pan American Round table which fosters a better understanding of the Hispanic culture. She was also active as a board member of the Permian Rehabilitation Center and the Ellen Noel Art Institute and her church St. Mary’s Catholic Church’s CWO. As many organizations or boards she was on, she never was as happy as being with her children, grandchildren or great grandchildren.

She leaves as her legacy Bertha A. Keith and her children Michael Jon, Kevin J. Keith and his wife Randa and sons Bryson and Koda. Manuel E. Gonzalez III. and wife Evelyn and their children Manuel E. Gonzalez IV and wife Lisa and son Tommy . Robert S. Gonzalez and wife Cammi. Samuel Gonzalez and wife Jill and their children Francesca and husband Brian and children Holden, Parker, Carter and Brooklyn. Mercedes Shirley and husband Dossie and children Dossie Sims and Ryland Dean. Samuel M. Gonzalez and wife Audrey and children Ella, Vivienne and soon to be Everett. Plus many friends and relatives.

The Gonzalez family would like to give a genuine “thank you” to those who took care of our mom: Sherwood Place-her extended family ; Compass Hospice-Cindy—her pain free health; Yolanda—kept her dignity and returned her to being a “Princess”—Virginia and Darlene for their constant help Pallbears will be her grandsons.

A rosary will be said Wednesday December 15, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at Hubbard Kelly Funeral Home with Deacon Alan Neff officiating. Funeral Mass is set for Thursday December 16, 2010 at 11:00 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens

Arrangements under the direction of Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home, Odessa, TX.