Elvira Reyna Contreras, beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and faithful servant of God, was born on August 18, 1935, in Falfurrias, Texas, to Bruno Reyna and Soledad Reyna.
She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Bruno and Soledad Reyna; her devoted husband, Gilbert M. Contreras; her son-in-law, Arturo Garcia; her grandson, Arty (“Little Art”) Garcia; and her beloved brother, Oscar Reyna.
Elvira was one of five siblings and the second eldest child in her family. She is survived by her cherished siblings: Leonel Reyna (widower of Francis) of Modesto, California; Bruno Reyna (widower of Antonia) of Modesto, California; Victoria Marroquin (widow of Jesus) of Brownsville, Texas; and Juanita Longoria (widow of Raymond) of Austin, Texas.
She married the love of her life, Gilbert M. Contreras, and together they built a life centered on faith, perseverance, and devotion to family. They were blessed with three children, who remained the center of her world: Gilbert Contreras Jr. (wife Dora) of Hebbronville, Texas; Consuelo Contreras Garcia (widow of Arturo) of Mission, Texas; and San Juanita Contreras of Hebbronville, Texas.
Elvira was the proud grandmother of ten grandchildren who meant the world to her: Cori Contreras of Kenedy, Texas; Elizabeth “Lizzy” Rodriguez (husband Lonnie) of Midland, Texas; Chris Contreras (wife Marla) of Hebbronville, Texas; Amanda Oyerbides (husband Josh) of Midland, Texas; Anita Contreras (husband Joe) of Montgomery, Texas; Adam Contreras of Midland, Texas; Michael Dominguez of Corpus Christi, Texas; Pete Dominguez of Hebbronville, Texas; and Rocky Lee Garcia (wife Felicia) of Brownsville, Texas; and Arty (“Little Art”) Garcia (preceded in death).
She was also blessed with twelve great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren, each of whom held a very special place in her heart.
Elvira lived a life rooted in faith, humility, resilience, and unconditional love for her family. She found joy in singing, dancing, listening to country music, storytelling, prayer, gardening, and spending time with those she loved. She especially cherished singing alongside her husband as he played the guitar, creating memories filled with music and love.
Throughout life’s joys and challenges, she remained a source of strength and encouragement to her family, reminding them of the importance of faith, hard work, and gratitude. Her kindness and quiet wisdom touched many lives, and the love she shared will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Her life was a blessing, her love was a gift, and her memory will remain a source of comfort and inspiration to her family for generations to come.
She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Pallbearers will be Bernie Reyna, Cori Contreras, Chris Contreras, Adam Contreras, Ryan Grantham, Rocky Garcia, Michael Dominguez, and Pedro Dominguez.
Visitation will start at 8:30 a.m. with a Holy Rosary at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 24, 2026 at the Funeraria Del Angel Howard-Williams, Hebbronville. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. at the Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Burial will follow at the Greenhill Cemetery.
