Luwan “Lulu” Villarreal was born on January 9, 1966, and was called home to be with our Lord on April 10, 2021. A woman of strength and commitment she helped raise her niece and nephews providing support and understanding. Luwan, would talk about watching Wrestling with her Grandma seated at her feet watching in awe not at the larger-than-life wrestlers, but at her Grandma yelling and punching the air. Luwan’s childhood was spent between Alice, Texas, New Mexico and Corpus Christi, Texas.
She is the Youngest of three daughters to Rosa and Tiburcio Ybarra. Rosa was a homemaker and Tiburcio was a ranch hand known for his skill at breaking horses. Luwan was a country girl at heart and would always tell stories of her family members on a ranch in Alice, Texas where she spent many years in her youth. Luwan, met the love of her life while shopping at Kroger’s Grocery Store. After some time, she learned his name was Rolando. The two were inseparable ever since. Luwan and Rolando were married on June 27, 1984 and welcomed Rolando junior the first of three sons the following year. In June of 1987 they welcomed their second son Gabriel into the world.
Luwan was a woman who wore many hats. She was a creative and powerful inspiration to not just her children but the public in general. Luwan, spent years working for CCISD at Martin Middle School as a cafeteria aid. After leaving the school district she began a career in home health, sharing the ups and downs with her clients. In 1998, eleven years after Gabriel was born Luwan had another announcement to make. Her third son Joseph was born early in October premature. The strength of Luwan is immeasurable and could clearly be seen along side her husband and sons during the struggles of Joseph’s first years.
Luwan loved children and would later become a preschool teacher. Luwan, always wanted a big family, and she would get it one way or another. Her loving heart, gentle spirit and kind nature allowed for her doors to be opened to any child in need without hesitation. Over the years Luwan’s doors were opened to over 100 young men and women ranging in age from newborns to teens. After all her Sons were in school her home was empty and being the woman, she opened it to kids of all ages. Luwan has had several groups of kids from the Whittier Neighborhood, to her beloved Kool-Aid Crew on her block at the Woodbury Apartment Complex. Luwan opened her home to children of the children she had seen grow from young children to young men and women.
Luwan’s passion for kids is only seconded by her passion for animals. Luwan’s Zoo as it was called held 2 Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Birds, Cats, Dogs and even a lizard at one point. Luwan made sure her kids knew that every life was important and precious from the smallest hamster to the strongest man in the world. Luwan was able to see all three of her sons graduate from Moody High School class ‘03 King High School Class ‘05 and Ray High School Class ’18. She was ecstatic to witness the wedding of Gabriel and Becky Villarreal and would light up and glow following the birth of her first Grandson Isiah. Luwan’s love for kids has never wavered and the most recent addition to her family, Gabriel and Becky’s Issac, had her overjoyed.
Luwan is survived by her husband Rolando Villarreal Sr., her son Rolando Y Villarreal Jr., her son Gabriel Y Villarreal, his wife Becky their children Isaiah Isaac, Raymon, Mea, Mya, and her youngest son Joseph Y Villarreal. Along with her loving family she leaves behind her Heart’s Princess Mckenzie Lowery countless foster grandchildren, as well as her much beloved Buster Brown, Flaco, Chester, Chewy, Beauregard, Beau, Dukus and Cassidy.
Luwan lived her life with these simple rules: “Treat others as you want to be treated”, “Give of yourself openly and you will never want”, “Be the difference you want to see in the world”, “Never give up, never back down and always move forward”. Her legacy will live on in the many lives and hearts she touched.
"When you look into your mother's eyes, you know that is the purest love you can find on this earth."
- Mitch Albom
Visitation will be held on Friday, April 16, 2021 at Memory Gardens Funeral Home at 12:30 PM, with Holy Rosary recited at 1:30. Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 PM with burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.
To leave an online condolence, please visit our website at: www.memorygardensfuneralhome.com
Holy Rosary and Funeral Service will be Livestreamed on Memory Gardens Funeral Home Facebook Page and Website.
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