Velma Mejia Rivera

Velma Mejia Rivera passed away on January 14, 2022 at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen. She was the only daughter of four siblings born on January 8, 1950 to Severo G Mejia and Cristina Hinojosa Mejia.

Velma Lamar Mejia Rivera was a Proud Vietnam War Veteran Wife, loving mother and grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and niece. She was an advocate, educator, mentor, and a great cook. She was a fan of history, especially family history. She loved her entire family. When she would find how far the root to the tree had gone, you better believe she was going to find a way to contact that branch of the tree. There was always a place at the table for all of her husband’s and children’s friends, of course, her friends and neighbors, too. There was no stranger she ever met.

She wanted to change the world by ensuring all resources were available to her family and community. She volunteered at Harlingen CISD before becoming a long term substitute teacher. She embraced every student as her own child. Teaching and loving each one by their unique personality and styles.

She admired nature, sunshine, the beach, good food, especially her sweet bread with coffee.

She was holistic and learned every herb that grew in the RGV. She enjoyed gardening, planting flowers, hibiscus, roses, poinsettias, and always had to have the perennial plants.

Her hobby was talking on the phone for endless hours to every person she knew, and writing letters to those she could not reach. She was a storyteller, who embellished every detail of her encounters. Soaked in everyone’s reaction.

Through life's trials and tribulations, she persevered to ensure her husband and family trekked on and had the tools required/needed to succeed in life. Everyone’s accomplishments were her own successes. When her first grandchild was born, she was excited to be a young grandma. She welcomed her new title with so much joy. She treasured having family gatherings in her home. Always sending a plate home with you, whether you asked for one or not.

She was a Proud American, who appreciated every past and present soldier that served our country. In addition, she was most grateful to every first responder, especially the firefighters who saved her young life along with her youngest brother’s in a fire.

To strengthen her faith, she attended church services and groups with her friends, Estella De La Rosa and Rosa Ybarra.

Our social Butterfly has gained her wings and transformed into our Angel in heaven. She along with our Lord Jesus Christ will prepare our home where we will once again rejoice.

Velma is preceded in death by her father Severo Mejia Sr , mother Cristina H Mejia, brother Robert Mejia, brother Severo Mejia Jr.

She is survived by her loving husband of 52 years Francisco Rivera Jr, daughter Christina Rivera, daughter Marcie (Carlos) Aguirre, son Frankie (Rachel) Rivera. Grandchildren Alexis (Payton) Green, Jacqueline K Sanchez, Audrey-Rae Aguirre, Apple Rae Dior Rivera, Angel (Mikey) Melendez, Quattro Rivera and Brother Ernie (Fela) Mejia.

Visitation will be on Thursday, January 20, 4pm-9pm with a rosary at 7pm, at Heavenly Grace Home in La Feria. Her final resting place will be at the Rio Grande Veterans Cemetery at 2pm on Friday January 21st in Mission, Tx.

Serving as pallbearers will be Frankie Rivera, Carlos Aguirre, Angel (Mikey) Melendez, Quattro Rivera, Payton Green and Abram Mejia.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.heavenlygracergv.com for the Rivera family.