Oweta Ochoa

Oweta Beatrice Ochoa passed away peacefully at home on May 2, 2025 in Austin, Texas surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She was born in McNab, Arkansas on May 17, 1924 to James V Lewis and Rosa Lee Martindale Lewis.

Mrs. Oweta Ochoa spent her early years growing up in Oklahoma. She met Inocente (Joe) Ochoa (1914 – 2011) in Oklahoma. They were married in 1952. They spent most of their married life raising their family in Port Lavaca, Texas. In 2010, she and her husband, Joe, moved to Austin, Texas.

Mrs. Ochoa was preceded in death by her husband, Inocente "Joe" Ochoa; sister, Juanita Smith; and granddaughter Melissa Siebert.

Oweta Beatrice is survived by her children Joe Dale Ochoa, Louis Ochoa, Tommy (Tom) Ochoa, Bobby Ochoa, Rosa Oswalt, Wanda Licerio and Mary Ochoa; grandchildren, Joe Dale Ochoa, Jr., Ida Ochoa, Aaron Lee Ochoa, Joe Daniel (JD) Ochoa, Ruth Ochoa, Valerie Ochoa, Rachel Garza, Robert Joe Oswalt, Jr., Lucio Licerio, Kathy Licerio, Patricia Ochoa, Priscilla Soza, Joanne Hambrick. She is also survived by 30 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great grandchildren.

Oweta cherished time spent with her family. She was able to spend time with and speak with almost every family member from the eldest to the youngest (3 months old) during her last days here. She gently, memorably touched the lives of all who knew her including, and especially, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren who brought her immense joy and happiness throughout the years.

Oweta Beatrice Ochoa was a Christian woman who faithfully followed Christ. She enjoyed time spent reading her Bible and praying for her family and for so many others daily. She loved spending as much time as possible with each member of her large, loving family.

When asked for their fondest memories of their mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, there are, of course, many memories shared of her cooking, baking and washing dishes by hand in the kitchen. Many memories of her ‘telling stories and reading books to us before bedtime’. Also, heard often, ‘the happiest days of my life were the times spent at “grandma and grandpa’s”. Another shared memory is of ‘waking up to see her kneeling at the foot of our beds praying for us, our family and others at night’ and ‘walking by their cracked bedroom door, to catch a peek of her or papa/grandpa kneeling at the foot of their own bed at night, praying to God in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. They certainly had a lot of family, friends and others for whom to pray. If you knew any of us and if you knew her, she has probably prayed for you. She thought it the best benefit to spend time with God and her large family.

May her memory bring comfort to those who knew and loved her.

Visitation for Mrs. Ochoa is Friday, May 9, 2025 from 11 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Richardson-Colonial Funeral Home, 123 Newlin Street in Port Lavaca, TX 77979.

Following a formal procession to the cemetery, a graveside service will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 pm at Port Lavaca Cemetery, 500 West Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive in Port Lavaca, TX.

Reception and meal will follow from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center Fellowship Hall, 902 Calhoun Street, Port Lavaca, TX 77979.