Mary Dolores Reyna

Mary Dolores Reyna, a beloved and cherished mother and grandmother, entered into rest on January 6, 2026, at the age of 79. Born on April 26, 1946, to Teodoro V. and Micaela Castillo in Victoria, Texas, Mary was the eldest of twelve children.

During hurricane Carla, there was an evacuation in 1961, a young man named Joe Reyna noticed Mary as she walked through the school with her siblings. Captivated by her beauty, he promised himself that he would one day marry her. Joe approached one of Mary's siblings and asked for an introduction to which Mary said, "Ew, I don't like him". Despite Mary's initial disinterest, Joe's persistence paid off, and they soon began dating. They would often go to the drive-in theater where Joe would pay for the entrance and Mary would pay for the concessions or vice versa. On June 8, 1966, they were married. Weeks later in the month of July 1966, Joe was drafted into the United States Army to serve in the Vietnam War. While Joe was serving his country, Mary faithfully awaited his return in 1968. In 1972, they welcomed their first child, Consuelo Reyna in Victoria, Texas. The family moved to Pasadena, Texas, in 1973, where they welcomed their second child, Dolores Reyna. In 1978, they completed their family with the birth of their last child, Jose Reyna, Jr.

Mary was a compassionate, kind-hearted, and thoughtful individual. In her younger years, she loved creating and painting ceramic items. Later in life, Mary worked for the Deer Park Independent School District until she retired. After her retirement, she enjoyed sewing clothes and stuffed animals for her family and was known for her delicious cooking, especially her Thanksgiving dressing, mole, enchiladas, and tamales. Mary enjoyed watching novelas in her recliner with her heated blanket with Tootsie. She also enjoyed her weekly visits with her best friend, Jesusita Garcia. Above all, Mary loved home visits from her family.

Her most memorable quote was, "In a marriage, it is not always 50/50, it is 70/30," emphasizing the importance of mutual support and giving in relationships.

Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joe F. Reyna; her parents, Teodoro and Micaela Castillo; and her siblings, Teodoro Castillo, Jr., Frank Castillo, and Andrea Blackwell.

She is survived by her children, Consuelo Reyna and husband Glen Ramirez, Dolores Reyna and husband Ramiro Briones, and Jose Reyna, Jr. and wife Carolina. Her legacy continues through her grandchildren, Lorena Gomez and husband Carlos Nava, Brianna Harold and husband Charles Forney, Channon Harold, Damon Harold, Savana Guerra, Celine Reyna, Aubrey Garcia, Xavier Trevino, Jose Reyna III, and Yudith Marie Reyna; as well as her great-grandchildren, Xavier "Gio", Zyla, Drew, Josiah, and Julian. Mary is also survived by her siblings, Beatrice Perez and husband Albert, Gloria Franka and husband Richard, Alice Herrera and husband Chris, Mary Jane Corpus and husband Arturo, Francis Martinez, Esther Gomez and husband Richard, Jesse Castillo and wife Norma, and Tony Castillo and wife Eva, along with many other loving relatives and friends.

Mary Dolores Reyna will be remembered as a loyal, patient, and honest soul who touched the lives of all who knew her. Her kind-hearted and faithful nature will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be held at the American Heritage Funeral Home, located at 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038, on January 29, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life will take place at the same venue on January 30, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 12:45 pm.

The Committal Service will be conducted at the Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038, on January 30, 2026, from 1:00 pm.