Virginia L. Melendez

Virginia Lopez Melendez, age 84, of Houston, TX, went to be with our Heavenly Father on November 2nd, 2023. Virginia was born to Juan Lopez and Jesusa “Susie” Arce, on January 23, 1939, in Houston, TX. She attended Marshall Middle School. She then married and became a mother and later raised 8 children on her own.

She is survived by her children: Alfred Ruiz (and Victoria Ruiz), Noe Gonzales, Esmeralda Gomez (and Rudy Gomez), Delia Zarate, Joe Arenas III (and Rachel Cordiva Arenas), Ernestina Vergara (and Ricardo Vergara), Susie Sandoval (and Raul Sandoval). She also leaves behind to cherish her memory, her brother, Jesse Zamora, her sister, Belinda Lopez Cannady, her cousins, Louise and Connie Garcia, and to all her 19 Grandchildren, 31 Great-Grand children, and 3 Great-Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by Geronimo Zamora (Grandfather & father), Paola Zamora (Grandmother & Mother), Jesusa “Susie” Arce (Mother), Juan Lopez (Father), Juan Zamora (Brother), Alfred “AJ” Ruiz (Grandson), and John Ruiz (Son). Virginia worked in several fields, as a cook, patient care, a small business owner, and for many years as a custodial worker for Rice University for 25 years. She enjoyed shopping, laughing, dancing, listening to her favorite music, playing her maracas, cooking (especially her famous enchiladas for her family), spending time with friends, taking trips to the casinos, watching t.v., especially The Price is Right, the Young and the Restless and the Wheel of Fortune, and most of all she enjoyed having her family around her.

The family would like to thank all the nurses and staff of Memorial Hermann Hospital of Greater Heights and Houston Hospice for their extraordinary and compassionate care; to Mr. Charles (her postman for many years), who always ensured “his girl” was always well taken care of; to her neighbors, Ms. Gladys, Yvonne, Nicole, and Ms. Martinez, whom always taken care of each other throughout the years, to her Sister In-law, Thelma, who always made time to visit when in town and kept her company by staying a few days before heading back home; and many thanks to all the friends and extended family for all their kind words, support, contributions, and most of all their prayers during this difficult time.

A visitation for Virginia will be held Tuesday, November 7, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023. A rosary will occur Tuesday, November 7, 2023 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023. A funeral will occur Wednesday, November 8, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023. A committal will occur Wednesday, November 8, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestParkLawndaleFH.com for the Melendez family.