Manuela was preceded in death by parents Merced Hernández and Teodora Hernández; brothers: Fermin Hernández, Isidoro Hernández, Ricardo Hernandez, Clemente Hernández, Jose Hernández; sisters: Maria Elisa Hernández, Elena Barrera (Alberto), brothers-in-law: Alberto Barrera (Elena), Francisco C. Alfaro (Consuelo), sister-in-Law: Aurora Laque Hernández (Jesus); Nieces, Roxane Hernández Delgado, Cristina Alfaro Solis, and Maria Elida Barrera; and, Nephew, Isidoro C. Hernández, Jr.
She is survived by sisters: Consuelo Alfaro of Lytle, TX, and Maria Gloria Ybarra (Augustine) of Houston, TX; brothers Jesus Hernández of Lytle, TX. and Santos Hernández (Carolyn) of San Antonio, TX,); sisters-in-law: Esther Garcia Hernández (Fermin) of Lytle, TX, Beatriz Maldonado Hernández (Clemente) of Lytle, TX. Enedelia Hernández (Ricardo) of San Antonio, TX, Jesusita Cuellar Hernández (Isidoro) of Dallas, TX; and several nephews and nieces, grand and great nephews, and nieces.
Manuela had a long and accomplished life. She served proudly in the U. S. Marine Corps, retiring as a Major. During a brief hiatus from the Marine Corps, early in her military career, she taught as an elementary school teacher with Edgewood I.S.D. in San Antonio.
She is remembered as strong willed, independent, generous, caring, and devoted to family and faith. The eldest of a family of twelve, after the passing of her father, she was instrumental in helping her mother raise and care for the minor children. She purchased a house for her mother and minor children. But her devotion to family extended beyond her immediate siblings. She is noted for remembering her siblings, nephews, and nieces, as well as, great and grand nephews and nieces, particularly during Christmas when she made a point of providing presents, no matter how small to everyone. Everyone remembers “Aunt Meme presents”.
After her mother’s passing, she made her house available to the family and several siblings at one time or another lived in the house when their families were young. After retirement, she opened her home to nephews and nieces, as well as extended family, who, for whatever reason, needed assistance getting themselves established on their own.
In retirement, Manuela became the family historian, keeping photos and records of immediate and extended family. She journeyed to Durango, MX. to research records and meet the family of her father. She regaled in transmitting the oral history of the family. She made note and informed the family of births and deaths in the extended family. It was not uncommon for the family to receive an early morning or late-night call from Manuela informing them of family births, weddings, illnesses, and deaths.
Manuela valued education. prior to joining the Corps, Manuela graduated from Our Lady of the Lake University at San Antonio. While in the service she received a Master of Public Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. After retirement, she earned a Master of Art in Literature from Our Lady of the Lake University because, as she said, “I like to read”.
Manuela had a distinguished career as a Vietnam Era Veteran in the United States Marine Corps. She joined the service in the late 50s, at a time when Hispanic families discouraged daughters from joining the military. Manuela nonetheless pursued her ambition and started a successful military career. In so doing she, experienced no small degree of disapproval. She persevered and ultimately became a pathfinder and an inspiration for her family and women of her generation.
While in the service, in 1966, as a Captain, Manuela was senior ranking officer and one of two women Marines assigned to the Marine Corps Air Station at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, now known as Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH), to initiate the ultimate activation of a company of 100 enlisted women and two officers (Stremlow, 1986, History of Women Marines 1946-1977, p. 79).
Following retirement, Manuela returned to San Antonio and became active with family and in the church and community. She was active with the St. Vincent de Paul Society at the Basilica of the Little Flower. She also volunteered with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) to provide income tax preparation assistance to low-income individuals. She also volunteered with Catholic Charities Immigration Services helping immigrants obtain legal immigration status.
Always the Marine, Manuela remained a Life Member of the Women Marines Association. She donated frequently and generously to service assistance organizations such as the Wounded Soldiers Project.
While Manuela lived an accomplished life, it was not easy. Her military career took her away from home, family, and friends. She endured a rigorous and demanding career as a Marine officer at a time when there were few Hispanic female officers in the Corps.
Manuela valued education and was a proud alumna of Our Lady of the Lake University. In her honor, the family has established an endowed scholarship with Our Lady of the Lake University. To make a donation or obtain further information, please see: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/OurLadyoftheLakeUniversity/manuela-h-hernandez-endowed-scholarship
Visitation for Manuela Hernandez will be on May 4, 2021, 5:00-9:00 PM with a Rosary at 7:00 PM at Funeraria Del Angel Roy Akers, 515 N. Mani Ave. San Antonio, TX 78205. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM, May 5. at the Basilica of the Little Flower, 1715 N. Zarzamora, St. San Antonio, TX 78201. Burial will follow at 11:30 AM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd. San Antonio, TX 78209.
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