Our loving mother, Edna Mae Chong, was called home by our Heavenly Father on August 26, 2024. She was 70 years old and died peacefully in her home in Premont, Texas, surrounded by family and friends. She was born to Cosme Tijerina and Guadalupe Davila on January 24, 1954, in Edinburg, Texas.
Edna Mae was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. Edna Mae will always be remembered as someone who loved to have fun times with family and friends, which brought her great joy. She loved to compete in games of Chalupa with her endless amount of quarters, taking road trips, listening to music and sharing stories with her family. She was an amazing cook, always cooking delicious meals for her family gatherings, alongside her daughter. Edna Mae had many talents, from painting and drawing to even clay sculpting, and gardening; she dabbled in it all.
She had a faithful heart and treasured the many times she was able to attend church. She had a great appreciation for God’s art and loved to be outside enjoying the weather, rain or shine, feeding stray animals, listening to her wind chimes, and hearing the birds sing. She was known for her infectious laugh, her interest in adventures, and her endless sense of humor. Most importantly, Edna Mae was never afraid to love, whether it was her family, her animals, or strangers. Her heart was made of gold, loving to do the very thing Jesus made her for. She had the most giving heart and will be remembered by all for her soft hugs and warm kisses.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Clemente Chong; daughter, Josephine Tijerina; brothers, Ricardo Davila and Cosme "Lobo" Tijerina; sister, Irma Ruby Villarreal and grandmother, Maria Tijerina.
She is survived by her son, Joshua Felix (Ruby Ann) Tijerina of Kingsville, Texas; daughters, Annette (Robert) Martinez of Premont and Yesenia Araguez of McAllen, Texas; brother, Eleazar Tijerina of Mission, Texas; sisters, Hilda (Eduardo) Gonzalez of Falfurrias, Texas, Thelma Ortega of Elsa, Texas, Noemi Gonzalez of Falfurrias and Maribel Tijerina of Hargill, Texas; five grandchildren, Robyn Santos, Ramona Araguez, J.J. Araguez, Jesus Santillano, and Ethan Tijerina; five great-grandchildren, Adrian Velasquez, Matthew Santos, Ryan Santos, Sofia Santos, and Ellie Santos; her pet dog, Shiloh and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Funeraria Del Angel Howard-Williams with Visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Services will conclude with burial at the Premont Cemetery.
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Special gratitude from the family of Edna Mae:
Our family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the extraordinary healthcare providers, who cared for our mother during her final days. Your compassion, dedication to her well-being, and unwavering support brought comfort to her and our family during this difficult time.
Edna Mae was truly blessed to have her brother and sisters by her side, especially Thelma Ortega, as she dedicated countless hours to providing comfort and companionship. Her selflessness and kindness made a profound impact on all of us.
To her daughter, Annette, your selfless care, patience, and compassion were a shining example of true love. You went above and beyond, ensuring that your mother felt cherished and comfortable every day. Your ability to balance the challenges with grace and tenderness is an inspiration to us all. Thank you for being such a devoted daughter, for the countless hours you spent by her side, and for the laughter and love you shared. Your bond was a beautiful testament to the power of family, and your kindness will be remembered forever.
