Barbara Rodriguez Rivera

Barbara Rodriguez Rivera, 89 of Midland, TX, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. Barbara was born in Ft. McKavett, TX on December 4, 1934 to Genoveva Ramon Rodriguez and Jose San Miguel Rodriguez. She was the oldest of five children with two brothers (Damasio and Jose) and two sisters (Mary Helen and Janie).

Barbara grew up in Ft. McKavett until at the age of 16, she caught the eye of a handsome man, Prisciliano “Preston” Rivera and they were married on December 2, 1950. Their union was blessed with three children, Benjamin, Samuel and Ema. They lived in Ft McKavett until Preston moved the family to Midland, TX in 1967.

Barbara was the ultimate wife, mother, housekeeper and cook. She enjoyed cooking for her family and made the most delicious meals many of which were recipes handed down from her mother and mother-in-law and some were Barbara’s own creation. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren raved about her “mashed beans”. To this day nobody knows why her beans were so delicious.

Besides being an excellent cook, Barbara had many other skills and talents such as sewing, quilting, crocheting and embroidery. She must have crocheted several hundred afghans and dish towels for family and friends. She was a very giving person. If you commented that you needed something just in conversation, the next time you saw her, she had that “something” for you.

Barbara held several jobs outside the home. She worked alongside Preston preparing wheat fields for harvest in Plains, Kansas prior to moving to Midland. In Midland, her first job was as the housekeeper/maid of a small family owned motel. She worked at Luby’s as a food line server and after leaving Luby’s worked as housekeeper for different families until her retirement.

Barbara loved music and dancing. She enjoyed listening to classic country and old time Tejano music and dancing to those tunes but her favorite genre were Christian songs. Her faith was strong and unwavering. She was often asked to pray for others and felt honored to be called a “Prayer Warrior”.

Barbara is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 73 years, Preston; son Benjamin; her parents; her brother Jose; and her two sisters.

She is survived by her son Samuel (Martina) and daughter Ema, all of Midland, TX; her brother Damasio Rodriguez (Eva) of Mission, TX; grandchildren, Adrian, Ben Jr., Luis (Amy), Joseph, Kristina (Ronald), Patricia, Nick (Blessing); great-grandchildren, Mathias (Heather), Ashley, Alex, Aaron, A.J., Devan, Noah, Brianna, Alyssa, Abigail, Samantha, Sidney, Emma and Silas; great-great grandchildren, Jayden, Corrine, Rowan Winrey; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 29, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. at Ellis Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 30, 2024 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and Shrine followed by interment at Resthaven Memorial Park. Pallbearers are: Adrian Rivera, Ben Rivera, Jr., Luis Rivera, Joseph Rivera, Nick Rivera and Ronald Farris.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Hospice of Midland for their care, support and compassion.