Frances Villarreal

Frances G. Villarreal of Hutto, Texas passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the age of 85. She was born on June 6, 1940, in Austin, Texas to Manuel and Petra Garcia. She was raised in old East Austin surrounded by her siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. Her family eventually moved to the North Loop area in the early 1950s.

Frances was a lifelong resident of Austin until her move to Hutto in 2025. She met her future husband in 1956 and married Crispin (Chris) Villarreal Jr. in 1959. She started married life as a military spouse and was primarily a homemaker and professional grandma during her lifetime. She and Chris also owned several small businesses in the eighties and nineties.

In the seventies, Frances and her husband were very involved in local politics. Frances enjoyed attending the Democratic Rallies and getting to know several local politicians, some of whom went on to higher level office. She supported her husband during his campaign for Justice of the Peace. Even though he was not elected, she and her husband continued to work to support candidates who helped pave the way for minorities to serve in public office.

Frances was a proud mom and could be found cheering on her children as they participated in little league football and baseball with the Delwood Optimist Club at Bartholomew Park and kickball and soccer with the University Hills Optimist Club at Reznicek Field. When her children began high school, she became a proud supporter of the Reagan Raiders and was even more proud as her children graduated. She was a member of Skyview Baptist Church until its closure.

Her support also extended to her grandchildren. Early on, she provided childcare to some of her grandchildren, which her children are most grateful. As they grew, she could be found cheering them on at football games, including the halftime shows, baseball, basketball and soccer games, wrestling matches, band and choir concerts, theater performances, award ceremonies and graduations.

She was preceded in death by her husband Crispin Villarreal Jr., grandson Dallas Heimann, grandchildren Christopher and Erin Villarreal, daughters Ernestine and Melissa Michelle, brothers Virgil and Albert Garcia and parents Manuel and Petra Garcia.

Frances is survived by her children, Christine Brister and her husband Sam, Melinda Villarreal, Steven Villarreal and his wife Sherri, Crispin Villarreal III, Virgil Villarreal and his wife Lucy, Frances Marie (Tilly) Crosby and her husband Burke, and her sister, Cynthia Gruell and her husband David. She is also survived by twenty grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at Falcon Ridge Rehabilitation Hospital of Hutto. The family would like to thank her CNAs Bree, Phiona, Heather, Victoria, Aranza, and Gwen, pharmacy tech Maira, her nursing staff, Priscilla, Jeanne, Leiza, Sarita, Cylene, and Jennifer for the love and care given to Frances during her stay and for the support and compassion shown to her family, especially during the last difficult days. The staff treated and cared for her as they would treat their own mother. The family always found her well taken care of happy and somewhat spoiled. The family also wishes to thank the staff of Enhabit Hospice for their support during Frances’ last days.

Funeral services and visitation for Frances will take place on Monday, March 9 at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery, 14501 North Ih-35, Pflugerville, TX 78660. Visitation with family will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. Internment will take place immediately after the service.