Raquel Villarreal

On Tuesday November 26th, 2024 our beloved mother Raquel Villarreal entered her eternal rest to join her husband Rodolfo Villarreal, husband of 56 years, where they are once again dancing together in Heaven.

Raquel was born on May 13, 1935 in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico to Xicotencatl David Tovar Salcedo and Concepcion Ruedas Martinez. Raquel was second to the youngest of 13 born siblings. In the mid 60’s she and her husband and the three eldest children left Mexico to find a better life in the United States and settled in Los Angeles, California where she had two older brothers and cousins residing. In Mexico Raquel was a nurse and moving to the United States presented challenges that switched her professional endeavors. Not one to back down she always found a way to meet challenges head on with optimism and a fearless attitude in which she was able to operate her own janitorial business with major commercial accounts in Houston. She was able to retire at the young age of 62 but was always looking for an opportunity to open another business.

After retirement, Raquel and Rodolfo managed a well-traveled lifestyle with trips that included Spain, Italy, France, Canada, China, United States and their beloved homeland of Mexico.

A true matriarch, she always was the voice of reason and a therapeutic approach to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren when it came to matters of life. Always wanted to be motherly to all in every aspect of the way with an approach of love and care that is rare to see these days. She truly was a cheerleader to all of us and always spoke with positivity.

Preceded in death are her husband Rodolfo, her parents Xicotencatl David and Concepcion, brothers Abundio, David, Rodolfo, Manuel, Sergio and sisters Adela, Fidelia, Maria Luisa, Consuelo, Adelina and Conchita. She is survived by her children Nidia Bishop, Rodolfo (Rudy) Villarreal, Judith Lopez and Raquel Vargas. Sister Teresa Tovar Perez. Grandchildren Dennis Brandon, Krystal and husband Anthony, Victor, Victoria and husband Ariel, Erik and wife Felicia, Tabitha, Michael, Isabella and Tiffany, Samuel Preston IV and wife Monse, Chelsea and husband Alex, Carolyn and husband James, Tamara and husband Mike and 21 great-grandchildren. Sons in law Samuel Preston Bishop III, Stacy Lopez and Geno Vargas.

A memorial service will be held in honor of her memory Saturday January 11th, 2025 from 12 pm at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, with family and friends to arrive at 11 am – 6900 Lawndale Street – Houston, Texas 77023 at the Chapel of Angels