Amalia Mendez Rios

She was born November 29, 1928 in Kingsville, Texas to Jose P. Mendez and Beatriz Saenz Mendez.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lauro Rios, Sr.; son, Fernando Rios; brothers, Raul Mendez and Jose Mendez.

She leaves behind to cherish her memories, her children, Jose Enrique Rios (Olga), Oralia Silvas (Richard), Rosalinda Mireles, Lauro Rios, Jr. and Esmeralda Rios; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; also surviving are her siblings, Ilia De La Paz, Ofelia Alaniz, Jesus Mendez and Ramon Mendez.

Amalia was raised on the King Ranch, was a very loving and caring mother and grandmother, who cherished her entire family. She was a homemaker and a professional seamstress, having created and designed women’s attire. Her creations ranged from designing wedding gowns and cheerleading costumes to extravagant pageant gowns for the New Orleans Mardi Gras pageants. She will be dearly missed by all she touched.

Her family wishes to extend a “special thanks” to the Palms Nursing Home staff for their caretaking love, especially Areshia and Sharee.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a rosary to be recited that same evening on Friday, November 14, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at Funeraria Del Angel-Memorial Holly. Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 15, 2014 at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church. Interment will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Visit www.funerariadelangelmholly to express condolences.