Hermila Vela Cantu, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, died on May 3, 2018, at the age of 93 after a full life of service to her family and community. She also served as “Madrina” at many celebrations of weddings, baptisms, and first communions and she maintained those relationships throughout the years. She was the supporting force behind her husband who served Holy Family Catholic Church as a Deacon for many years.
She was born on March 27, 1925, in Yorktown, Texas, to Rumaldo and Emilia Vela. She moved to Corpus Christi in 1940, where she raised her family and worked in retail for many years.
She is preceded in death by her husband Deacon Jose L. Cantu (1996) and son Hector Cantu (1970).
She is survived by children Valdemar (Judy) Cantu, Elk Grove, California; Irma (Don) Woods, Corpus Christi; Rosario (Richard) Flores, Corpus Christi; and Veronica (Luis) Morales, Austin.
Hermila was blessed with 10 grandchildren: Alan Zumel, Los Angeles, California; Leslie (Kenny) Cantu, Charleston, South Carolina; Jennifer (Ray) Perez, Katy; Audrey (Phil) Ulloa, Austin; Angela (Ryan) Slack, Riverbank, California; Mario Flores, Corpus Christi; Paul Del Bosque, Austin; Rene Flores, Corpus Christi; Nina (Shane) Costilla, Dallas; and Ricky Morales, Austin. Her nine great grandchildren are: Emily and Elizabeth Perez, Katy; Austin and Casey Slack, Riverbank, California; Lucy and Eulalie Harper, Charleston, South Carolina; Belen Ulloa, Austin; and Aksel and Mila Costilla, Dallas.
Surviving siblings are Evangelina Cabrera, Key West, Florida; Everardo (Erika) Vela, Big Spring; Betty (Silverio) Fernandez, San Antonio; Edmundo (Elena) Vela, Hobbs, New Mexico; Enrique Vela, Alice; and Evinia Vela, Corpus Christi. She also was a special aunt to numerous nephews and nieces.
Hermila loved working in her flower garden, hosting wonderful family dinners, and making her home a warm and inviting place for relatives and friends from around the country.
We will miss you, Grandma, and love you always.
A rosary will be held Sunday, May 6, at 7 p.m. at Funeraria del Angel Memorial Holly. The funeral Mass will be at Christ the King Catholic Church at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 7, followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the staff of Windsor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Nurses on Wheels Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mission of Mercy Medical Center.
