Amelia B. Perez

Amelia B. Perez has deep roots in the Taylor area and Guadalupe Church community. Amelia was born in Taylor to Cresencio Buentello and Cecelia Diaz Buentello. The Taylor area was a farm community and like most people at that time, she was raised in the rural lifestyle. Though she worked hard in the crop fields, she had many fond memories of visiting with all the nearby relatives and playing outside with her brothers, sisters, and cousins.

Her father died when she was a young child so she was raised by an uncle and extended family members. As a result, she learned at a very early age the importance of having a family and caring parents. She vowed that when she had a family of her own, she would be a devoted mother to her children and to raise them in a warm and stable environment.

Amelia married the late Antonio Dominguez Perez in 1952. They had 11 children (eight girls and three boys) and also helped raise a niece who is considered one of her daughters. It was important to Antonio and Amelia that their children receive a good education and learn about their Catholic faith. They worked multiple jobs so that their children could attend the local parochial school. Because of their sacrifice, all of their children attended and graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School. They taught them the importance of their Catholic faith, the value of a quality education, and gave them a good work ethic.

Amelia worked as a seamstress at the Taylor Bedding Manufacturing Company until she retired and was also the head cook at the Taylor Country Club for a few years. She was beloved by her co-workers and customers and her meals were legendary.

Though her family and work kept her very busy, Amelia still made time to be an active member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, which was her home parish all her life. She was actively involved in the Guadalupana Society since 1960 serving as its past president. As a member of the Altar Society she helped clean the church and the purification linens for mass services. She prayed with Grupo Evangelizacion Emaus, and was active in the Cursillo movement for many years since she lived her Cursillo in 1960. She was a volunteer with the Medical Corp during their missions to Arteaga, Mexico and also with the Prison Ministry at the immigrant detention facility. She led and sponsored Sunday breakfasts, which involve several generations of the Perez family. She helped with the annual Jamaica and other fundraisers in any way she was able by working in a booth, donating items to sell, providing homemade quilts for auction, and selling raffle tickets. She could always be counted on to donate food items for bake sales and covered dish meals. She was also a daily Mass communicant.

Amelia was proud to have been the 2010 Austin Diocesan Lumen Gentium (Light of the World) recipient. This award is in recognition of an individual that shines with the light of Christ in his or her work. She was nominated for this honor by her pastor. The Most Reverend Joe S. Vasquez, Bishop of Austin wrote this to her: “We wish to honor you for the ways in which you have allowed the light of Christ to shine through you. Your generous offering of your time and talents have made a difference in the life of your parish faith community. Your example of true Christian stewardship is inspiring.”

Amelia also has a legacy of service in the Taylor community working with her favorite charities like the March of Dimes, the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and Meals on Wheels. Her friends who were unable to drive knew they could count on her to provide transportation whenever they needed.

Amelia enjoyed her travels to Rome, Italy where she visited the Vatican, to the Holy Land, to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City and her annual pilgrimages to La Virgin de San Juan Basilica. She also enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. visiting and vacationing with family and friends.

Because she has joyfully given of her time, talent, and treasure, she has been an extraordinary example to family, friends, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is a shining light who lived her baptismal calling to be a disciple for Christ. As one of her children stated, “Our parents have inspired us to embrace our faith and be involved with our own church community. We are determined to raise our own children as our parents raised us. Our mom’s legacy already continues to shine in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and will for many generations to come.”

Amelia was preceded in death by her husband Antonio Dominguez Perez, her brother Ricardo Buentello and her sisters Angelita Lugo, Irene Martinez and Aurora Valdez.

She is survived by her sister Anita Mendoza of Dallas, her brothers Robert Buentello of Amarillo and Henry Gonzales of Salinas, Cal. Amelia is also survived by her 12 children Mercedes Perez de Colon (Modesto, dec), Esther Diaz (Juan, dec) Irma Torres (Hank), Sofie Johnson (James), Rachel Alderete, Nora Perez, Teofilo Perez (Irene), Regina Robles (Ernest), Antonio Perez ,Jr. (Rebecca), Patricia Perez Wagner (Wade), Librado “Lee” Perez (Cheryl), Angela Hernandez (Jose) and her loving companion of 22 years Rito Hernandez. Amelia was blessed with 33 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Amelia danced into heaven on Dec. 11, 2012. Rosary will be 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 14, and the Mass will be 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 15, both at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Amelia asked that we celebrate her life and that at her funeral, guests wear bright colors instead of the traditional black.

Amelia’s wishes were that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Fund for the Poor.