ZAPATA, TEXAS---Maria Guadalupe (Lupita) Rathmell 93, passed away Thursday, January 25, 2018 at her home in Zapata, Texas.

Maria was born January 18, 1925 in Old Zapata, Texas to Leopoldo and Maria Martinez. She graduated high school from Holding Institute in Laredo, Texas. On May 11, 1947 she married her high school sweetheart, Jacob G. Rathmell. Lupita was a devoted wife and mother. She was also a consistent and generous patron of the Zapata County Fair. In acknowledgment of her longstanding support, Lupita was selected as the 2004 Parade Marshal of the Zapata County Fair. Her family will remember her for her sharp wit and boundless generosity.

Lupita is preceded in death by her parents, Leopoldo and Maria Martinez, her brother Leopoldo Martinez, Jr., her husband, Zapata County Judge Jacob G. Rathmell and her four sons, John, James, Jacob Guadalupe Jr. and Johnny.

She is survived by her children, Maricela (Arturo) Volpe, Patricia Rathmell, Graciela (Dr. Carlos Garza), Ella R. (Jorge) Gonzalez, Sr. the Honorable Judge Joseph (Gina Lynn) Rathmell and Sara A. Rathmell; daughter-in-law, Dr. Carmen Rathmell; grandchildren, John Carlos (Ana Lamar) Volpe, Triana A. Volpe, Jorge Gonzalez, Jr., James (Saralee) Gonzalez, Dr. Kristina A. Rathmell, Jacob Paul (Alexis) Rathmell, Gabriella Lynn (Luis Carlos) Guevara, Roberto Leopoldo Rathmell, Celia Andrea Rathmell and Sarah Josephine Rathmell; great-grandchildren, Alegra Lamar Volpe, Arturo Thomas Volpe, Anna Marie Volpe, Leopoldo Christian Guevara and by numerous other family members and friends.

The family would like to thank Dr. Marissa Gonzalez, Altus Hospice Care, Brush Country Home Health for their professionalism and support. The family is grateful to her constant companions: Maclovia Martinez, Elvia Chapa, Miranda Fuentes, Perla Lara and Nena Banda.

Pallbearers were, Honorable Judge Joseph Rathmell, John Carlos Volpe, Jorge Gonzalez, Jr., James Gonzalez, Jacob Paul Rathmell and Roberto Leopoldo Rathmell.

Honorary Pallbearers were Arturo Volpe, Jorge Gonzalez, Dr. Carlos Garza, Luis Guevara, and Arturo Thomas Volpe.

Visitation hours were held on Sunday, January 28, 2018, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a vigil at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home.

On Monday, January 29, 2018 we opened at 8 a.m. and the funeral procession will depart at 9:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.

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. US HWY 83 Zapata, Texas.