Rebecca R. Cardenas

REBECCA R. CARDENAS passed away May 12, 2025, at the age of 97, from a short illness. Mrs. Cardenas was born in Mexico City, Mexico on July 15, 1927. Her parents were: Mr. Ramon Rodriguez and Mrs. Adela Garduno Rodriguez. She was the last sibling of seven brothers and sisters. She grew up in the port city of Acapulco.

At fourteen years of age, before the start of the WWII, she moved with an aunt to Ciudad Juarez on a student visa to study English. In Ciudad Juarez is where she met our father, Rodolfo V Cardenas, who had returned from serving the U.S. Navy. They married on June 28, 1946. They were married for 53 years. God graced them with four daughters and three sons. They, however, had to endure the heart break of losing a son, Armando Cardenas on February 7, 1985. They never seemed to have recovered from that awful loss.

From an early age, she had God in her life. At her arrival to Ciudad Juarez, she and our aunt would attend “La Paz de Cristo” (The Peace of Christ) church. After she and our dad were married, they would visit and attend other apostolic congregations. This was in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. By accident, as my parents were searching in Cd. Juarez for some nephews, they happen to come across the Iglesia de Dios 7o Dia Central (Church of God 7th Day) in Juarez. They later started attending the church. In 1962 they renewed their vows in the church in Mexico City. Between 1960 and 1968, they started evangelizing in El Paso while at the same time attending church in Juarez. In 1968, they and other members (who now rest in the Lord) started the church work in Ysleta, Texas.

Our mother always (by example) demonstrated to us what being a child of God entailed. Due to her various illnesses in her later years, she could not serve God physically but thru her tithing, offering and donations. To be of service to others, for example, a neighbor, a friend, a stranger, a relative, was the greatest act of love, she inspired. She was known as “Grandma” by many who knew her.

Mrs. Cardenas was preceded in death by her husband: Rodolfo V Cardenas, her son: Armando Cardenas, daughter-in-law: Fabiola Loya Cardenas, Great-granddaughter: Victoria Renee Cardenas, and Great-grandson: Ernest Cardenas.

Mrs. Cardenas is survived by daughters: Mary Lou Molinar (Manny), Rachel Cardenas, Esther Summerford, and Rebecca (Becky) Atilano (Joe). She is also survived by sons: David Cardenas, Samuel Cardenas (Liza Alvarado) and stepson: Enrique Cardenas.

Also left to cherish her memory are: 17 Grandchildren, 48 Great-grandchildren, and 26 Great-great-grandchildren. Included are many friends, church members, and maternal nieces and nephews etc.

Michelle, Corrina, and Rosa, we are very grateful for your assistance in caring for your grandma our mother the last week of her life. Thank you dearly.

John, thank you for being present to care and watch over your mom and our mother. Esther thank you for looking after our mother all these 25plus years. Your care allowed us to have her to almost her 98th year. You both sacrificed your adult life for all. God bless you.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 29 2025 Funeraria Del Angel Restlawn Funeral Home. Private visitation from: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Public visitation from: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Vigil and Prayer Service at 7 p.m. May 29, 2025.

Prayer Service: Friday, May 30, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at Funeraria Del Angel Restlawn.

Graveside Service: Friday, May 30, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Israel Cardenas, Jasen Cardenas, Manny Molinar III, Joshua Salas, Adam Cardenas, John Summerford IV

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to all those who cared for our mother during her illness, especially those at: Center for Compassionate Care Hospice El Paso, the Emergency Room doctors and staff, plus the fourth-floor medical staff at Sierra Medical Center. May God bless them for their dedication and care. Arrangement by FUNERARIA DEL ANGEL RESTLAWN FUNERAL HOME, 8817 Dyer St. El Paso, TX 79904 (915) 751 1287