Cruz R Lopez

And, that's how Cruz lived her life - ensuring her life was a reflection of the ideals and faith she held in her heart.

Cruz R. Lopez was unexpectedly called to serve the Lord on Aug. 1, 2021 at the age of 80.

Born in Mexico, she migrated to the U.S. in her early teen years and began working odds and ends jobs to help pave her path in the world. One of those early jobs was working for the H.E. Butt family - which turned out to be the beginning of a long, storied career with H.E.B. During her time with the grocery chain, she quietly broke bearers as one of the first woman to work on the heavy machinery in the H.E.B. factory.

She married the love of her life, Julian, in 1960 and together they created a lifetime of memories, family, friends, and servitude. Cruz was a humble, hard worker who found solace and peace gardening and cooking for friends and family. As a dedicated servant of the Lord, she always had a smile on her face, she never hesitated to open her home to those in need, she cared for the homeless, provided for those who had less than her, kept the laughter flowing, and loved her family unconditionally.

In the presence of family and friends, Cruz proudly became a U.S. citizen in 1996 and always remembered that moment and the importance of voting, especially in recent years.

More importantly, she had an uncanny ability to make every person in her life feel important and that each relationship was unique and special in its own way. Her most remarkable achievement is the lasting legacy of family and love she leaves amongst her children, their spouses, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Mom, Grandma, Lita, Chata, Tia, Sister, Friend, we miss you more than you could ever imagine and rejoice knowing there's another angel in heaven watching over us. Soar beautiful lady, soar.

Survivors include her three children - Janie (Joe) Riojas, Julian (Sara) Lopez, Jr., and Martin (Lupita) Lopez, Sr., all of Corpus Christi; her 14 grandchildren - Angelica Lopez of Manassas, Va.; Arnold (Sesaley) Lopez of Corpus Christi, Texas; Tanya (Tom) Perez of San Antonio, Texas; Nicki Carroll of Forney, Texas; Felicia Torres, Martin (Angelica) Lopez Jr., of Corpus Christi, Texas; Julian A. (Monica) Lopez of Manassas, Va.; Joey Riojas, Joshua (Abbagale) Lopez, Jacob (Jennaive) Lopez, Mireyna Moreno, Eddie Moreno, and Crystal Brown of Corpus Christi, Texas; Sarah Sandlin of San Antonio, Texas; and her beloved dog, George. She is also survived by 17 great grandchildren - Isaiah Riojas, Nichole J. Lopez, Arnold Lopez, Jr., Jonathan Carroll, Anthony Torres, Joshua Torres, Jaiden Lopez, Aubrey Lopez, Zariah Lopez, Serena Lopez, Serenity Lopez, Summer Lopez, Camilla R. Perez, RJ Trevino, Giselle Trevino, Joe Torres, and

Julian Uvalle; her siblings - Gustavo Cantu, Jose M. (Juana Inez) Cantu, Santiago (Letty) Cantu, Maria Cantu (Macario McDrano), Manuel (Zoila) Gonzalez, Palmira (Danny) Gutierrez of Dallas, Texas; and Juan (Nancy Olivo) Cantu of Mexico; her sisters-in-law, Elsa Cantu of San Antonio and Evangeline Cantu and Yolanda Cantu of Dallas; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends.

Cruz is proceeded in death by her beloved husband, Julian C. Lopez, Sr.; her parents, Maria Vasquez and Julian Rubio; her granddaughter, Nicole Cruz Lopez; her brothers and sisters, Enrique Cantu, Hector Cantu, Gilberto Cantu, Maria Elena Rubio, and Orelia Herrera; and her beloved dog, Coco.

Visitation is Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021, 5 to 9 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at The Lord is Peace Church (4730 Kostoryz Rd., Corpus Christi, Texas). A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 16, 2021, 1:30 p.m. at The Lord is Peace Church with an entombment following at Memory Gardens Cemetery (8200 Old Brownsville Rd., Corpus Christi, Texas). Per Cruz's request, the family asks all guests to wear bright colors, no black, to help celebrate her life.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy can be offered at www.funerariadelangelmemorialholly.com and our Facebook page: Funeraria del Angel Memorial Holly.