On September 24, 2013, our beautiful mother Theresa Rodriguez Rayos, age 83, departed to Heaven. Theresa was born September 3, 1930, the daughter of Ignacio and Rosa Rodriguez. She was the fourth of eleven children. She lived her entire life in Buda, Texas. The place she called home.
Her life revolved around her family and her family revolved around her. A single mom, Theresa raised her six children, Rosemary Rayos (husband Alex Verver), Joann Ramirez (husband Ken Ramirez), Belinda
Villareal (husband Rick Villareal), Jimmy Rayos, Suzanne Munoz (husband Marcelino Munoz) and Arthur Rayos (wife Christina Rayos) thru trying circumstances, but never failed to act as both a mother and father to them. She used her constant faith in God, to guide her.
Her greatest joy was having her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren over to her house for family get togethers. Sunday mornings were a time all of her family would come over to enjoy her bountiful breakfast and be around the mother they cherished.
She was a true believer in the American Dream. When she became a single mother, she was faced with obstacles of having only an eighth grade education, having never held a job and not knowing how to drive, all at the age of 42. Realizing that quitting was not an option, she educated herself, taught herself to drive, worked until she was 77, bought her own home and taught her children to be self sufficient. Through her example, her children learned to never submit to the circumstances before them and strive for a better tomorrow for both themselves and their family.
She leaves behind her children and their spouses along with her grandchildren: Denise Smith, Agustin Santoscoy, Isaac Ruedas, Rene Santoscoy, Tanya Camacho, David Ryan Quintanilla, Jason Villareal, Sarah Ramirez, Audrey Munoz, Michael Munoz, Emily Rayos and Kaitlyn Rayos. She also leaves behind 14 great grand children.
While she will be missed, her memory will continue to live thru the lessons she taught and the countless memories she was part of.
A Vigil Service/Rosary will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, September 27, 2013 at Harrell Funeral Home in Kyle.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to CAPS, Capital Area Parkinson’s Society, P.O. Box 27565 Austin, Texas 78755-2565.
