Adelfa Botello Callejo

Adelfa Botello Callejo, beloved wife, sister and aunt returned home to God on wings of angels on Saturday, January 25, 2014. Born in Millett, Texas on June 10, 1923, Adelfa came into the world to make it better than she found it and more than successfully achieved her mission. Attorney, prolific civil rights leader, brilliant entrepreneur, philanthropist and humanitarian extraordinaire she ascended from humble beginnings and became the voice of the defenseless and the Hispanic community. She shook the foundation of our great city and made us acutely aware of the injustices perpetrated upon the undereducated. For Adelfa, everything was achievable and impossible was nothing.

Adelfa empowered our democracy by inexorably promoting voter registration and education throughout the course of her entire life. She represented countless women who could not defend themselves in their familial situations and infused them with self-esteem and confidence. She humbled her opponents concerning the issue of immigration through tenacity and common sense. Adelfa paved the way for minority entrepreneurs to achieve success by serving on an innumerable number of civic boards, thus, opening previously closed doors. She was the consummate visionary who fully realized the power of bilingual education and political activism.

Larger than life itself, she rose to prominence through extraordinary sacrifice. She held a fulltime job by day and attended undergraduate and law school at night for ten years. Just a few of her accomplishments are represented by her service as Past Director of the State Bar of Texas, Past President of the Dallas County Criminal Bar Association, Executive Board member of the SMU Dedman School of Law, former Regional President of the Hispanic National Bar Association, Member of the President Clinton Think Tank, Trustee/Founder of the North Texas Voted Education Trust, Chair of the Dallas Housing Authority, Founder and Past President of the Mexican American Bar Association, Member of the D/FW Airport Board, Member of the DART Board, Member of the Municipal Library Board, Lifetime Member of the League of United Latin American Citizens, Board member of Kaiser Permanente and countless others.

Her recognitions, honors and awards were virtually perpetual in nature and was also recognized in the professional sports industry as a recipient of the NFL Latino Leadership Award. However, she acknowledged being named as one of only twelve Texas Legal Legends by the State Bar of Texas and the naming of the Adelfa Botello Callejo Elementary School were her two greatest honors and achievements.

Above all, however, was her depth of love for her family and husband, William F. Callejo. She and Bill were married for sixty seven years and their love for each other never waned. Bill’s ability to wisely invest permitted Adelfa the independence to address any issue she so desired. She adored her sisters, brothers, and nieces and nephews. Regardless of our omissions or commissions, notwithstanding our errors, Adelfa defended her family with fervent passion. She was the consummate Matriarch of our family through her compassion, wisdom, counsel, love and leadership.

She is survived by her husband, Bill Callejo, her sisters Connie Gonzales and Lily Velasquez, brother-in-law Ricardo Callejo, her nieces Libby Botello Marchetti, Jeri-Ann Mullaley, Linda Botello, Franchesca Callejo Brighton, Debbie Botello Maxwell and nephews Stephen Velasquez, Michael Gonzales, Felix Botello, John Robert Gonzales, Victor Botello, Tony Botello and John David Gonzales. Her brothers preceding her in passing are Ricardo, Gilbert and Felix Botello.

Pall Bearers are BT Tamez, Felix Tamez, J.D. Gonzales II, Felix Andres Botello, Matthew Gonzales and Juan Garcia.

The family wishes to convey its heartfelt thanks to Dr. Franco DeMonte of MD Anderson, Dr. Jeffrey Phillips, Dr. Donald Schwartz, Dr. Anver Jameel, Dr. Bruce Wall, Dr. Jaya Jaturi, Dr. Namitha Govinda and Dr. Tom Hawk. We are deeply appreciative of her care givers Nelia, Rosario (The Kid), Tessie, Paulina, Jennifer, Malyn, Fe and Vivian. And, our deepest appreciation to Juan Garcia who was forever by our side.

The visitation will be at Sparkman-Hillcrest from 6-8PM on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 and the Rosary shall commence at 7PM and will be led by Reverend Jonathan Austin. Mass will be celebrated by Most Rev. Kevin J. Farrell, D.D., Bishop of Dallas Celebrant at 10AM on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe with a reception from 11:30M-1PM to follow. A private family burial will follow, thereafter.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Chapel Downtown Dallas or MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.