“You can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile because she has lived.” Quote from David Hawkins.
Our beloved Estela Perales, mother, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and educator, passed away with her family by her side at the age of 78. Estela was called to heaven on Friday, July 29, 2022 at Valley Regional Medical Center.
Estela was born in Laredo, Texas to Pedro and Antonia Vela on September 26, 1943. She married the love of her life and best friend, Juan Antonio Perales on October 29, 1966. Once married, she and Juan moved to Brownsville, Texas where they began their new chapters of their life and soon began their family. Estela enjoyed living in Brownsville, Texas where she built her home, family, and a career in education.
Estela was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Juan Antonio Perales, her daughter, Anel Perales; grandson, Jonathan Perales; parents, Pedro and Antonia Vela from Laredo Texas, and brother David Vela from Dayton, Texas.
Estela is survived by her devoted children; Cristela (David) Rangel and Juan Antonio Perales II, three grandchildren; Lesley Michelle Perales, John Andrew Perales, and Joshua Rangel all from Brownsville; her brother, Pedro (Yolanda) Vela III from Houston, Texas; and sisters, Guadalupe (Arnoldo +) Arambula from Angleton, Texas; Berta (Arturo +) Ramirez from Helotes, Texas; Ana (Julian +) Ramos from Houston, Texas, and sister-in-law, Linda (David+) Vela from Dayton, Texas, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends whom she loved and admired.
Estela was known as an enthusiastic educator. She taught for more than 30 years as a PRE-K teacher before retiring from BISD. Education was her passion, and she will always be remembered as an honorable, dedicated, and life-long educator.
In celebration of her life, services will be under the care of Buena Vista Funeral Home, 125 McDavitt Blvd. Brownsville, Texas, 78521. Visitation will begin on Thursday, August 11, 2022 from 1-9 PM with the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 PM followed by her eulogy prepared by loving friends and family. The burial services will be held on Friday, August 12, 2022 at 12:00 PM with funeral procession to a mausoleum interment.
The family is asking for all who are able to attend the burial service on Friday to wear a yellow shirt/blouse, Estela’s favorite color, in honor of her memory.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.funerariadelangelbuenavista.com for the Perales family.
