Francisca Chapa de Solis

Francisca Chapa de Solis (Panchita) was born on January 19, 1929, in Dr. Gonzalez, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. She was the daughter of Manuel Chapa† and Francisca Martinez†. Panchita entered Heaven’s gates January 20, 2016.

A loving mother and homemaker, Panchita loved to cook, and people would come from many miles away for her famous tamales. Even in her last years as her children were coming to visit, she wanted to get up and cook for them, no matter how she felt.

Panchita had an unwavering faith in God. She was a member of the Killeen Spanish Seventh Day Adventist Church. One of Panchita favorite scriptures was John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” Le dijo Jesus, “ Yo soy la resurreccion y la vida, El que cree en mi, aunque este muerto vivira.”

Panchita was predeceased by her loving husband of 48 years, Manuel Solis Perez. She was also predeceased by her two sisters, Reyna Chapa de Santos and Enedina Chapa de Magdaleno and two brothers, Raul Chapa and Gilberto Chapa. Panchita is survived by her sister, Maria Inez Chapa de Elizondo, her daughter Dina Alvarez and her husband Tony, her son Victor Manuel Solis and his wife Janis, her son Jose Luis Solis and his wife Dee, her daughter Rosa Maria Gordon and her husband Curt, her daughter Blanca Neli Swayzer and her husband Rick, and her son Hector Mario Solis and his wife Traci. She is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. It should be noted, that her last great grandchild was delivered on her birthday, January 19, 2016, one day prior to her passing, the gift of another miracle, Franklin G. DiBona.

Family and friends were blessed with one last day of celebration with Panchita as she celebrated her last birthday one day before passing. She was able to sing along with her family and give them the most precious gift before her departure to see our Lord.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 24, 2016 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm at Crawford and Bowers Funeral Home. A funeral service celebrating her life will be held the following day on Monday, January 25, 2016 at 12:00 noon, followed by a graveside service.