Maria Rosa Rangel

Maria Rosa Rangel was born on September 22, 1933, in the ejido of Santana near Villa Union, Coahuila, Mexico. She was the eldest of 9 children of Ignacio Fraire and Francisca Lopez. As a child, she tended to goats and worked the fields in the ejidos. However, with such a large family, her main responsibility was taking a lead role in helping raise her siblings.

Rosa married Genaro Guevara Rangel and had two sons, Rafael and Ramiro. They were born in Villa Union and Piedras Negras, respectively. Genaro came to the United States via the Bracero Program that existed until 1964. Rosa Rangel brought her two sons into the US in 1960 and joined Genaro in Mason, Texas. They lived on a farm there until 1970. Her third son, Carlos Rangel, was born in Mason, Texas. In 1970, she and her family, came to Uvalde, Texas to join her brother, Ricardo Fraire, and her other family members that lived in the area. 

Rosa worked in the fields around Uvalde, Texas until she joined Dickies factory here in Uvalde. She worked there for about 30 years until she retired. 

Rosa was an avid gardener and was often seen outside tending to her “matas.” Even though Rosa’s formal education was only to the third grade, she taught herself to read and write as one of her passions was continual learning. Rosa was adamant in instilling the need to get an education to her sons. Additionally, Rosa’s work ethic was impeccable, and she also transferred that value to her sons.

Rosa was a dedicated mother that gave totally of herself to her sons and she was also very loyal to the extended family. Rosa valued not only family relationships but also many friends that she had over the years. Rosa focused on maintaining those relationships whether they were local, Mexico or elsewhere. Many of those friends reciprocated this loyalty by visiting with her until she passed to Heaven.

Also, one of the major things that others immediately saw in Rosa was her unwavering faith in God. You can say that the thing that grounded Rosa through the unending difficulties of life was that she relied upon the Lord’s sovereignty, compassion and love. You could not walk away from an encounter with Rosa without hearing the words “si Dios quiere”, “primeramente Dios” or “que te bendiga Dios”. It is because of this faith and the fact that she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior that we know unequivocally that she will spend eternity with Jesus. 

Rosa is survived by several brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Rosa is also survived by her oldest son, Rafael, his wife Carol, their daughter Jacquelin and her husband Paul. Additionally, she is survived by her other son Ramiro and his wife Sandra and their son Justin Andres, and his wife Annabel Rose and their children Sadie Rose and Riley Antonio and their youngest son Parker Antonio. 

Rosa is preceded in death by her first husband Genaro, second husband Roberto Alvarez, and son Carlos. Additionally, she is preceded in death by her father Ignacio and mother Francisca and siblings Andres, Francisco, and Antonio.