Eladia (Laya) Inez Hernandez Lopez

Our beloved mother, who was also a wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and sister, Eladia (Laya) Inéz Hernández López, left us on June 24, at the age of 90. We are very blessed to have had her with us for so long. Mom led a life of dedication and determination from her youngest days, and most importantly, a life of love and encouragement.

She began her life in Mexico, in the town of Mier along the Texas/Mexico border. Like most towns of that time, it had a central plaza where people gathered for social and religious events. Her family's home and business "Curiosidades Hernandez" were across the street from the plaza. Behind and above the store lived the family of Roman Hernandez and Otilia Hernandez, Laya's parents. On May 7, 1930, their seventh child, Eladia Inez Hernandez Mascorro, was born. Her older siblings called her Layita. She was a very active and intelligent young girl who was loved by her parents, siblings, and friends, and who excelled in school. She attended Roma High School and later taught English there. The family had several businesses, where she and her siblings worked. She most enjoyed the sales aspect of their family retail business. She often reminisced about how she would work at the store for ten hours a day, then work after hours to clean or take inventory. Mom was a very beautiful girl both inside and out. Her mother, Mamá Otília, was protective of her as she went into the social world, the world where she met the love of her life - Ignacio Lopez. He was the man who took one long look at her at a wedding they both attended and announced to his brother, "She doesn't know it yet, but I am going to marry that girl!"

And marry they did. Their wedding in November of 1953 was a wonderful celebration at the church on the plaza. A wedding video shows Laya and Nacho looking beautiful, yet very serious. Their enduring and sincere commitment of devotion and love for each other was captured in that film. Years later, when their yet to be born children were old enough to see and understand it, they witnessed a powerful lesson on how lasting love can be, and that it starts with a sincere and serious commitment from the very beginning. Laya was already teaching her children.

After the wedding, Laya and Nacho traveled to their new home in San Antonio, Texas. They set-up a home that welcomed their first three children: Jorge Luis, Maria Graciela, and Rosa Del Carmen. It was a sweet time for her. Gerardo Antonio and Ignacio Junior soon completed a family of seven. Managing a household of five growing children was quite demanding, but Laya showed that with determination, love of family, and faith she was more than up to the task.

She encouraged us to excel in school, and many times it was by her most thoughtful skill of listening. We learned that no one is interested in the everyday details of your life like your mother. Mom listened to the smallest detail of our adventures, our school exploits, our hopes and dreams, and made each of us feel like we were the most important person in the world to her. Each of her children has their own story, and when looking back, we can see that each story is based in high hopes and love as she both saw and encouraged our individual strengths and traits. She loved each of us as we needed to be loved. She taught us how to listen, how to learn, how to strive to achieve our goals, and how to establish a loving family culture in our own families. The girls learned from her what it was to become a woman. The boys learned what it meant to be a gentleman.

We found out early and often that we could not venture into anything without hearing her divinely inspired benedictions; 'Con el favor de dios!' (With God's favor!), 'Que Dios les bendiga!' (May God bless you!), and 'Lo que uno propone, Dios dispone' (Whatever you might propose, God is in control.) This taught us that she revered God's love so much that she wanted to embed that love in us. We learned from her to look to God when faced with life's challenges. She always acknowledged that it is His Will, not ours, that will be done. She loved her religion.

This steadfast faithfulness became important for all of us as she encountered several life-threatening medical conditions. Her faith never wavered through numerous and grave health challenges.

Mom's hobby and skill as a master seamstress was a creative expression that she deeply enjoyed. She created and designed fashions for herself and her daughters as needed for all occasions. Her tenacity to do her personal best was sewn into every stitch. In doing this, she kept teaching: keep striving to do better. Aim high. Don't be afraid to do things yourself when you need to.

She guided us through high school and college. Laya entered a new phase of her life as weddings started and led to her beloved twelve grandchildren. Laya became "Yaya" to Dr. Greg Lopez (Catherine), Elyse Lopez Turner (Matt Turner), Blake Howell (Meredith), Candace Howell (Matt Finn), Marisa Lopez, Adriana Lopez Reynolds (Zachary), James Lopez (Samantha), Jeffrey Lopez, Carissa Lopez (Michael Williams), David Lopez (Gretchan), Richie Garza, and Renata Garza.

As she entered the last chapter of her life, Yaya was amazed how the size of her family had grown and how proud she was of us. She loved hosting family gatherings and preparing our favorite foods. That warmth and love stand out among the many memories we have of her. We also recall how she taught us to live a life that appreciated our successes and overcame our trials. She taught us by example to put God into the fabric of our lives by acknowledging His plan for us and noting how He is ever-present in our daily lives. She taught us to focus on our family. By the time she was no longer able to easily remember her life, we are grateful to know that there was nothing left that needed to be said between us that had not already been said. At the end, what we have left is our love for her and what she means to us even now.

We love you, Mom. We think of you in the company of God and the saints, and holding hands with Dad again, … forever.

Eladia H. Lopez was predeceased by her loving husband of 65 years, Ignacio Lopez. She is survived by her best friend and sister Dr. Maria Magdalena Hernandez Hernandez, her brother, Aquiles Hernandez (Sandra) and her loving children; Jorge Lopez (Martha), Dr. Maria Lopez Howell (Mark), Dr. Rosa Lopez, Gerardo Lopez (Mary), Ignacio Lopez Jr. She is also survived by the grandchildren named above as well as nine great-grandchildren: Rocco Lopez, Domenico Lopez, Maria Valentina Lopez, Sophia Grace Lopez, Matthias Lopez, Asher Lopez, Parker Lopez, Tomas Turner, and Claudia Turner. Our family remains grateful to Mrs. Eva Rivera for the enduring and loving care offered to our mother.

A private ceremony will be held for the family. We ask friends who wish they could be present to view the recording of the services via the link below on Thursday, July 9, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. and the Interment following the service at 11:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of San Antonio:

https://ccaosa.z2systems.com/np/clients/ccaosa/survey.jsp?surveyId=2&