Maria Ymelda Enriquez

Maria Ymelda Enriquez of Uvalde passed away peacefully at her residence at the age of 79 on January 17, 2023, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by the love of her family and husband of 63 years.

Ymelda was born on December 22, 1943, in San Antonio, Texas, to Sofia (née Lewis), formerly of Uvalde, and Isaac Mendez, a professional baker. After moving to Uvalde at a young age, she became a lifelong Uvaldean. She was a descendant of the Pulliam family, one of the pioneering families of Uvalde, through lineage from her maternal grandfather, James Henry Lewis. She was proud of her Mexican-American heritage and embraced her small-town roots, knowing her family tree dated back to the beginnings of the community.

She married Rodolfo G. Enriquez on January 22, 1960, in Uvalde and had eight children. A loving wife, mother, and homemaker, Ymelda devoted her life to her family. She loved her husband dearly, known as Rorro and Popo to family and friends, and cherished their time together. She cared deeply for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She lived a life of grace and humility. Ymelda kept God close to her heart and maintained a humble and happy home full of love and laughter. She instilled in her family the importance of faith, family, and friendship as well as living life with love, kindness, and compassion.

Ymelda had a fun-loving spirit, was quick-witted, and seldom missed an opportunity to make those around her smile. She had a beautiful laugh and approached life with a sense of humor. She enjoyed family parties, birthdays, and holidays. She loved to cook Tex-Mex cuisine, host large family gatherings, and routinely had a fresh pot of delicious charro beans, slowly cooking for the next meal or celebration. Family and friends were welcomed with warm smiles and could always count on a home-cooked meal and an offering of pan dulce on Sundays after church.

The simple things in life made her happy. Ymelda loved to listen to music and dance in the kitchen. She was delighted when her family took her out for dinner, ice cream, shopping, or simply for a ride to see what was new in town. Throughout the years, she enjoyed sewing, telenovelas, word puzzles, and playing dominoes with her husband. She had an appreciation for nature and lovingly tended to her plants. As an avid Spurs fan, she could often be heard cheering for her beloved basketball team.

In her life, spending time with the family was everything. Those around her were proud to call her Mom and Granny. Ymelda brought great joy and happiness to everyone who knew her. She will be missed immensely but will remain ever present in the hearts and minds of her family and friends and those she touched with her generosity. Her legacy of faith, love, and kindness will endure for generations to come.

Ymelda is survived by her husband, six daughters, and two sons: Rodolfo Enriquez, Jr. and wife, Monica of Pflugerville, Sonia Sanchez and husband, Willie of Uvalde, Patsy Aviles and husband, John of Uvalde, Robert Enriquez and wife, Rosie of Kyle, Veronica Enriquez of Georgia, Aide Escamilla of Uvalde, Angelica Ybarra and husband, Jesus of San Antonio, and Melissa Cervantes and husband, Bruno of Uvalde; sister, Elvira Solé of California; 21 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, grandmother, Feliciana Morales, and sister, Irene Rodriguez.

Visitation will begin on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at 1 p.m., followed by a rosary at 7 p.m. at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery.

Pallbearers will include her six eldest grandsons, Rodolfo Enriquez, III, John Aviles, Jr., Willie Sanchez, Jr., Stevie Sanchez, Hondo Sanchez, and Robert Enriquez, Jr.

The Enriquez family wishes to acknowledge and give special thanks to the Uvalde Hospice team and kind-hearted caregivers, Monica Pineda, Loretta Ramirez, and Patsy Rodriguez, for their professional and compassionate care.