Maria de Jesus Hernandez (Castillo), fondly known as “Jessie” and beloved member of the Lower Valley community, went to rest in God’s hands on Friday, February 11, 2022 just shy of her 85th birthday. She was preceded in death by her parents, Enrique and Carmen Castillo, and her sister, Lilia Viescas. She is survived by her husband, Oscar Hernandez and their five children, Oscar Hernandez Jr., Leticia Rey, Carmen Guadarrama (Hernandez), Michael Hernandez, and Alfred Hernandez, 13 grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and her three sisters and two brothers.
Born in Smeltertown, TX in 1937, she often reminisced about her youth in the tight knit town. She and her siblings told stories about running uphill to the smelter to deliver and sell food to the employees, an act that prepped her for a lifetime of service to her family and community.
As an adult she participated in her Catholic Church communities as a communion minister coordinator, Guadalupana, Catechist, and in the church choir; but her passion was to serve as a Communion Minister to the Sick and Homebound. It was the perfect expression of her will for selfless service. She lovingly prepared her delivery with adoration for the blessed sacrament and looked forward not only to share our Lord’s body, but also a laugh or comforting word with those she served. “Man shall not live by bread alone”...Matthew 4:4.
When it came to family and friends, she proudly ran all aspects of the home after marrying her adoring husband, Oscar in 1959. She was the head of the household in so many ways - the kitchen where she particularly excelled at cooking the best Mexican dishes in El Paso, family finances, gardening, family calendars, and her kids’ education. She ran them all with a firm yet guiding hand and it paid off with too many successes and blessings to count. Her life was truly a celebration of the big “F’s”: Faith, Family, and Friends.
If you would like to attend her services you are welcomed. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with the Rosary to begin at 7:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Funeral Home, 1060 N Carolina Dr. El Paso, TX 79915. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday February 24, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 7424 Mimosa Ave. El Paso, TX 79915 followed by the burial at Restlawn Memorial Park, 4848 Alps Dr. El Paso, TX 79904.
You did great work, Jessie. We love you.
You will be missed, but your presence will be felt forever as your friends and family continue your work in your honor. God’s peace be with you.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hillcrestfuneralhomeeast.com for the Hernandez family.
