Ramona Soriano Rodriguez

Ramona “Monchi” Soriano Rodriguez was a valiant woman with a curious mind and an intelligent thinker. She was a steward of lands, crops, flowers and plants, who tended to and loved livestock, birds, canines and felines. Her character was an attentive and gracious mother, sister, tia, wife, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a devout Jehovah’s Witness and was a member of the JW congregation in La Feria, Texas. She enjoyed going to weekly services and always took the opportunity to talk to you about Jehovah God and teachable lessons from the bible. Her faith was unwavering and remarkable, even to the end. She was not afraid to leave this world and knew with her entire heart and soul that she would return to a better place. A place with no sorrow, no sickness and surrounded by all her loved ones.

We said goodbye to this woman with a big heart and unmeasurable love on July 15th, 2023. She was surrounded by all her children, 1 of her 9 siblings and 4 of 18 grandchildren who came to visit her before her unexpected passing at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center in Houston, TX.

Ramona was born January 7th, 1942, in Santiago Ixcuintla, a village located an hour from the coast in Nayarit, Mexico. As a teenager, she moved to California in pursuit of a better life for herself and her two younger sisters. Ramona's life was filled with significant milestones and accomplishments. She married at the age of 17 and became a mother to four children. Later in life, she remarried and welcomed three more children into her family and moved to the “Valley” in Santa Rosa, TX where she called home most of her life.

Ramona's life was filled with warmth and love, and she had a profound impact on those around her. She had a special connection with nature, especially beautiful plants and flowers, and had a fondness for the beach and animals in need. In addition, Pan-Mexicano and pastries brought her joy, and she loved indulging in long phone conversations. Remarkably, she was tech-savvy despite her age, using modern technology to stay connected with loved ones. She was known for her outgoing and social nature, fearlessly striking up conversations with strangers, as if she never met a stranger at all.

Ramona will be missed by countless people in Nayarit, California, Texas and beyond. We remember our Monchi for the warmth, humor, boldness and immense gratitude with which she approached life and all those she loved. We will miss her gushing over her pets, doting on her plants, and calling to check on all loved ones and friends. We will miss her sharing her wisdom and a profound love for the natural world, her beautiful singing voice that serenaded all when she cooked and her strong hugs and “I love yous.”

Ramona is now reunited with her parents, Jesus Soriano and Maria de Jesus Romero, her husband of 51 years, Joel Reyes Rodriguez, her sister Duvy Soriano, her brothers Hugo Castaneda and Gilbert Castaneda, and her granddaughter Felicia Chang, who preceded her in death.

Left to cherish her loving memory are her children: Javier (Diane), Martha (Jeff), Evangelina, Alfred (Terry), Susan (Roy), Joel Jr, and Crystella Camelia (Brian). Additionally, she is survived by 6 of her 9 siblings, 18 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, countless nieces, nephews, cousins and of course her fur babies – Minnie, Petunia and Travie.

As we mourn the loss of Ramona Soriano Rodriguez, let us also celebrate the beautiful life she lived and the legacy of love and joy she leaves behind. Her memory will forever reside in our hearts, and whenever we encounter the things she loved, we will be reminded of the incredible, loving and strong person she was.

A memorial service to honor and celebrate Ramona's life will be held at Heavenly Grace Funeral Home & Memorial Park in La Feria Texas on August 4, 2023 from 3:00pm to 8:30pm. Ramona’s congregation will be give a service in Spanish from 6:30 pm to 7:00pm. Family and friends are welcome to attend and pay their final respects to this remarkable woman who touched the lives of so many. May she rest in peace.

Thank you to everyone who came to see Ramona. A special thank you to our “adopted sister” Diane V of Weslaco, TX for taking such tremendous care of Ramona through her final days.

Thank you, Mel R of Houston, TX for all the care you gave to our entire family.

A visitation for Ramona will be held Friday, August 4, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Talk at 7:00 p.m. at Heavenly Grace Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 26873 N. White Ranch Road, La Feria, Texas 78559. This will conclude funeral services for Ramona as she wished to be cremated.

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