ZAPATA, TEXAS— Emma Vela Trevino 96, passed away peacefully at her home, on September 7, 2024, surrounded by her children. She was born on January 3, 1928 to Pedro Vela and Dora V. Vela, in San Patricio County, Texas.

On January 27, 1952, Emma married Leopoldo Trevino in Old Zapata shortly before they were relocated to the New Town of Zapata where they settled and raised their family. She was a devoted wife and mother and loving grandmother and great-grandmother. Emma was a patron of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and a member of the Sacred Heart Society for many years serving as Secretary, Vice-President, and President. She also was a member of the Zapata County Historical Society involved in preserving the history of our town.

Emma was a self-taught seamstress who designed and sewed school uniforms for cheerleaders, twirlers, and majorettes, without using a pattern. She loved to sew, crochet, quilt, and bake and loved sharing her recipes with anyone who complemented her baking. Emma was blessed with a long productive and fulfilling life and was the last of the family's greatest generation. She will be remembered for her incredible strength, wise words, and sharp witticism.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Leopoldo Trevino, her parents, Pedro Vela and Dora V. Vela, her sister, Angelina Vela, her brother, Osbaldo Vela (Raquel), her in-laws Filiberto Trevino and Luisa C. Trevino, and all her Trevino brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

She is survived by her children, Alma T. Garza (Roland W.), Leopoldo Trevino, Jr. and Emma Nelda T. Guevara (Ricardo), her grandchildren, David W. Garza (Ericka), Dina G. Van Hoose (Wade), Dariel I. Garza (Selena), Diana G. Martinez (Edmundo, Jr.), Ricardo Daniel Guevara (Monica), Sergio X. Guevara and Luis Carlos Guevara(Gabriella) and her great-grandchildren, Benjamin W. Garza, Savannah E. Garza, Desiree I. Guevara, Isabella S. Garza, Victoria R. Martinez, Katalina L. Van Hoose, Derek D. Garza, Dylan J. Garza, Vivienne S. Martinez, Skyler X. Guevara, Aiden N. Guevara, Emma Cecilia Guevara, Sergio X. Guevara, Jr., Sebastian X. Guevara, Stevan X. Guevara, Leopoldo C. Guevara and Jacobo G. Guevara and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are her grandsons David W. Garza, Dariel I. Garza, Ricardo Daniel Guevara, Sergio X. Guevara and Luis Carlos Guevara and her great-grandson, Benjamin W. Garza.

Honorary Pallbearers Edmundo E. Martinez, Jr., and Wade D. Van Hoose

The family would like to extend a special thanks to her personal caregiver, Sandra Herrera, the members of Friendly Care Primary Services, Martha Sanchez, Gladys Salas, Laura Meza and to the Laredo Hospice members, Sandy, Cecilia, and Cassy, who provided her with excellent care.

Visitations were held Monday, September 16, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. followed by a Rosary and Chapal Service at Rose Garden Funeral Home. Committal services followed at Zapata County Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, Funeral Director, 2102 N. U.S. Hwy 83, Zapata, Texas.