Amelia G. Reyes

Amelia Gonzalez Reyes, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, friend and eldest of ten children, passed away on Friday, October 14, 2022, after enduring a courageous cancer journey. She was born on June 18, 1944, in McAllen, TX to Juan Gonzalez and Hortencia Flores.

Amelia grew up in extreme poverty in San Antonio’s near Westside in the height of World War II. She was raised by her beloved grandmother, Angela Flores, and helped raise her siblings.

Her challenging environment established her strong-willed and sense of grit character. She withstood adversity and many obstacles to build a life she was proud of.

Determined to give her children a better life, she moved her family to the suburbs where she purchased her first home. She was proud of this accomplishment and lived there the remainder of her life.

For more than 20 years, she worked as a seamstress at Levi Strauss & Co where she labored for 12-hour days to provide for her family as a single mother of five children. She also worked a second job to make ends meet.

After her retirement in 2004, she had an opportunity to travel the world, from coast to coast and to Europe. Among her memorable travel experiences, she joined a papal audience with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in Italy, visited the beaches of the Caribbean, attended the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York City, and attended the inauguration and presidential inaugural ball of former President Barack Obama.

She enjoyed family time with her children and grandchildren, visiting casinos, and cooking recipes handed down from her grandmother.

A reserved, quiet public person, she also had a wicked sense of humor and enjoyed good conversation and good humor for those who knew her well. While she may have had an exterior of armor, she had a sentimental, almost child-like inner soul that few people knew about.

In a notepad discovered in her home after her passing, she handwrote the following:

“When I am old and grey

My step might be slow

I may not hear so well

I may not see so good

I may not feel so well

BUT

My love will be the same

My devotion will be the same

My appreciation will be the same

My heart and soul will be grateful

For all that you have done for me”

Amelia is survived by five children: Arnold Medina (Sandra), Adam Medina (Cindy), Abel Medina (Daniele), Anita A. Reyes and Michael Reyes (Sonia Melendez); seven grandchildren: Jonathan A. Medina (Nicole), Angelica N. Rathke (Sam), Brandon M. Medina (Michele), Clarissa A. Medina (Luke), Matthew R. Medina, Madeline K. Reyes, Logan M. Reyes, Mark Ramirez; along with three great-grandchildren: Esperanza E. Rathke, Luzia M. Rathke, and Ilianna C. Medina. She is also survived by siblings Alicia Farey, Maria Ellen Melchor (Manuel), Rachel Cortez, Crispin Cortez, Sylvia Martinez, Genevieve Durkin (Juan), Irma Estrada, Rosalinda Robledo (Anthony); Uncle Joe Rangel; many adored nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends. She is also survived by her beloved pet dog Gordy.

She was preceded in death by her sister Elida Rodriguez, Aunt Gloria Rangel, Uncle Guadalupe Flores, Mother Hortencia Cortez and Grandmother Angela Flores.

A visitation will be held at Porter Loring Mortuary Mccullough (1101 McCullough Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78212) on Sunday, October 23, 2022, at 1 p.m., followed by a Funeral Service at 3 p.m. A reception will follow the services. A funeral mass will be held on Monday, Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church (617 S. Santa Rosa Ave, San Antonio, TX 78204).

For her love of animals, gifts in lieu of flowers may be made in Amelia’s memory to the San Antonio Humane Society

She will be dearly missed by family, friends, and many more.