Oralia Jasso Rodriguez

Oralia Jasso Rodriguez, 85, was born to Audelio and Dora (Garcia) Jasso on June 17, 1938, on a homestead in Edna, TX. She passed away June 30, 2023, at St. David’s Hospital in Austin, TX while surrounded by her husband, Lionicio Rodriguez, and family.

When she was 7 years old she moved with her family to Colorado where she worked in their family restaurant. They returned to Texas in 1954 and settled in Austin where she attended Stephen F. Austin High School. This was a very special time in her life as it was when she met her sweetheart, Lionicio Rodriguez when they both worked at the Piccadilly Cafeteria on Congress. They were married on June 29, 1958, and lived in their first home together on Pearl St.

Oralia was always driven and dedicated to causes close to her heart. She spent over 30 years working for the Austin Independent School District, and in retirement became a vital volunteer at the Austin Pregnancy Center and then transferred her time and service over to the Dripping Springs Pregnancy Center a few years ago. She was a proud member of Primera Iglesia Bautista where her parents were amongst some of the earliest members and where she made lifelong friends. Later as a member of Great Hills Baptist Church Oralia sang with the Senior Choir, cared for babies in the nursery on Sunday mornings, led Vacation Bible School classes, worked on the Christmas decorating committee, helped with donations for the needy, and participated in several missionary trips.

Some of her favorite pastimes were camping trips that she and Lionicio took their two children, Rick and Lori, on. They traveled across North America with their camper to places like California, Colorado, Glacier National Park in Montana, Banff and Lake Louise in Canada, Nashville TN (where they introduced daughter, Lori, to her love for roller coasters at a young age), and all across Mexico. Oralia's love to travel and sightsee continued well into retirement except the camper was replaced by cruise ships! Some of Oralia's favorite cruises were to Alaska, Hawaii, Beliz, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and Spain. Of all her travels, one place that she visited time and time again was Colorado Springs. She went several times and never missed an opportunity to go horseback riding through the Garden of the Gods, even at the age of 68!

Oralia loved her family more than anything and showed her love through affection, delicious home-cooked meals, and unwavering support. She was our rock and the backbone of our family. Her children, Rick and Lori, were her greatest joys and also gave her 6 “sweeties” (her grandchildren), who gave her 7 great-grandbabies.

She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, community volunteer, and friend. She is preceded in death by her parents Audelio and Dora (Garcia) Jasso, sister Betty (Jasso) Loera, and son-in-law Jon Alan Seymour.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Lionicio Rodriguez; son, Richard “Rick” Rodriguez; daughter Lorraine “Lori” Lee Seymour; 3 granddaughters, Laurel Seymour, Lacey Seymour, and Stephanie (Rodriguez) Guerrero; 3 grandsons, Lance Seymour, Richard “Ricky” Rodriguez, and Andrew Rodriguez; 5 great-grandsons, Julian Seymour Ferguson, Rory Seymour Ferguson, Cooper Jon Seymour, Colton Seymour Eiseman, and Richard Daniel Rodriguez; 2 great-granddaughters Eden Lilian "Lily" Rodriguez and Avery Marie Guerrero; 1 brother Benancio "Benny" Jasso; 1 sister Ofelia "Pat" (Jasso) Balderas, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, Jul 14, 2023, at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home, 6300 W William Cannon Dr, Austin, TX 78749.