Ofelia Vela Lopez, surrounded by her family, has gone to be with her Savior on September 12, 2005. She was born in San Antonio, on April 25, 1922, the twenty-first child of William and Ofelia Vela and was a descendent of the Canary Islanders who founded the town of San Antonio, Texas. Her great grandfather, Pasquiere Buquor, was a Mayor of San Antonio, a Texas Ranger, a Colonel in the Confederacy and commissioned a Justice of the Peace by President Sam Houston of the Republic of Texas. She attended Infant Jesus Catholic Church in Lumberton, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Efren C. Lopez; grandson, Troy Allen Russell, and granddaughter, Gena Dianne Russell. She lived for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Those left to cherish her memory are three daughters and one son, Sylvia Frederick and husband Bill, Arleen Hughes, Patricia Russell and husband Gene, and Efren Lopez and wife Jerry Lynn; grandchildren, Jeffery and Lisa Frederick, Tracy Johnson, Dona, Buddy, Brad, Kraig and Brandi Hughes, Leslie English, Eric and Brandan Russell, Aaron and Daniel Lopez and Melissa Snyder; great grandchildren, Justin and Courtney Northcuttt, Trevor and Shelby Love, William Frederick, Bailey Johnson, Alisha Ford, Angela Harris, Trey, Amanda, Temper, Ashley, Sonny, Troy, Noah, Seth and Zach Hughes, Alexander English, and Taylor and Madeliene Russell; great-great grandsons, Jakob, Kory and Hayden Ford; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews.
Ofelia was a wonderful mother and friend to many. She enjoyed life, was fun loving and had a great wit. She was blessed with many wonderful and faithful friends. She will be greatly missed by all.
Special thanks to Dr. Soberon; his nurse, Patrice; and care-givers, Mary Ann, Rebecca and Mayo; and the staff in the ICU at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth.
A Christian Vigil/ Rosary will be 7:00 P. M. Thursday, September 15, 2005 at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 A. M. Friday, September 16, 2005 at Infant Jesus Catholic Church in Lumberton with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Her eight grandsons will be serving as pallbearers
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Anthony Cathedral School, 850 Forsythe, Beaumont, Texas 77701; Monsignor Kelly High School Scholarship Fund, 5950 Kelly Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77707; Infant Jesus Catholic Church, 243 South L H S Drive, Lumberton, Texas 77657.
