Born in the small town of Elgin Texas, Secundina was one of 11 children to father Isabel and mother Maria Ubias. Not being fond of her given name, she preferred to be called “Nina.” The family worked vigorously as migrant workers, traveling all across the United States. Not only was she a skilled field laborer, harvesting anything from vegetables to picking cotton, she was also a talented and creative seamstress, often drawing out designs on spare pieces of paper before bringing them to fruition. A skill that would prove highly useful later in life as she became a mother.
She met Francisco Gonzalez and the couple wed on June 22, 1947 in Alamo, TX. Soon thereafter, the newlyweds traveled north from their Texas valley home, and settled in the neighborhood that would later be registered as The Historic Old Sixth Ward, near downtown Houston.
Together, Nina & her husband, Frank would raise 5 children in their home on Decatur St., Maria Elena, Lucia, Francisco Jr. (deceased), Delia, and Anthony. She spent many hours designing and making clothes for not only her children, but for neighborhood friends as well. She had a kind heart, often times setting a good example of charity to vagrants that would pass by and request a helping hand, making them a sandwich with whatever they had available in their refrigerator. She also volunteered as much of her time as she could to her local church, often helping cook food for festivals or fundraisers. Just another example of her fine talents, was cooking a good meal. Ask any of her children, grandchildren or great grandchildren, what a favorite food memory is and you can bet tortillas, tamales, menudo and bean tacos are at the top of the list. An example of making a lot out of a little to feed her large family she loved so much.
The family tree is as follows:
Mr & Mrs. Francisco & Secundina Gonzalez
Daughter: Maria Elena, husband (deceased) Antonio P. Garza Jr., husband (deceased) Harold E. Williams
Antonio P. Garza III & wife, Debbie L.
Eric A. Garza
Erin A. Graza
Marcus P. Garza
Paul H. Williams
Daughter: Lucia, husband (deceased) Leonard R. Rodriguez
Leonard R. Rodriguez Jr. & wife, Janie F.
Samuel A. Saldana
Samantha A. & husband, Dennis O. Amaya
Micheal A. Nieto
Mason A. Nieto
Sophia D. Amaya
April R. & husband, Jesus Martinez Jr.
Victoria L. Rodriguez
David L. Rodriguez & wife, Maria
Kevin Rodriguez
Arilin Rodriguez
Madalin Rodriguez
Dillin Rodriguez
Son: Francisco Gonzalez Jr. (deceased)
Daughter: Delia, husband Candelario S. Gonzales Jr.
Michael A. Gonzales & wife, Patricia A.
Christian M. Gonzales
Michael A. Gonzales, Jr.
Isreal J. Gonzales
Vincente F. Gonzales & wife, Erica H.
Vincente F. Gonzales Jr.
Noah A. Gonzales
Ariana N. Gonzales
Monica B. & husband, Roberto Villarreal Jr.
Robert A. Villarreal
Gabriel R. Villarreal
Jaslene Ortiz
Alexander R. Gonzales
Candice A. Gonzales
Son: Anthony Gonzalez
Anthony Gonzalez Jr.
Michelle L. Gonzalez
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.heightsfuneralhome.com for the Gonzalez family.
FAMILY
Maria ElenaDaughter
Delia Gonzales and her husband CandelarioDaughter
Lucia RodriguezDaughter
Anthony GonzalezSon
Bacilia HernandezSister
Natalia UresteSister
Francisco GonzalezHusband (deceased)
Francisco Gonzalez Jr.Son (deceased)
Several Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and Great-Great Grandchildren
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