I am so sorry for your loss. May the Lord comfort you in your pain.

May you rest in paradise my friend, we love you! 

Melissa was the most amazing person ever, we got the extreme joy of getting to know her as our neighbor. From the very beginning when purchasing our home the seller told us a little of their story and we bonded on so many levels. Melissa's light and the way she lived life was very infectious. Her smile her laugh her supportive attitude were so wonderful. I'll miss our texts and talks , or seeing her thrive at raising beautiful little Eliana, she was a amazing mother! Melissa knowing you for the last three years has been a blessing, you will live on through each person who has gotten the wonderful blessing of knowing you. Someone like you is very rare, and I'll always cherish all our many memories. Love you my friend. Domingo we will always be here for you and Eliana, we love you guys. 

My deepest condolences and prayers for Melissa Riojas’ family. May our Lord bring them comfort & peace during this very difficult time.

My wife, Lois, and I are heartbroken to hear about Melissa's death. She was a faithful member of the worship team at Grace Bible Church during my tenure there. Along with her brother, Marco, she brought a sense of joy whenever she sang. To the Riojas family, and to her husband , Domingo, we offer our sincere condolences.

My greatest joy while living in Laredo was singing on the worship team with Melissa! The voice and heart of an angel!

My most sincere condolences. I met Melissa in high school back in 1996, she loved singing just like I do and I have fond memories of us singing in Choir together.  There is a memory that stands out when we went out of town on a school trip with Choir, it was a fun time and I'm glad I got to know her and her brother Marco, great people. She was a very smart, talented and driven woman. I remember her showing me how she had her notes organized one day in choir and I was glad there were others like me that were meticulous about being neat with notes. May she rest in peace, prayers for her entire family.

May she rest peacefully 💜
-sister speech pathologist 

Melissa,
I see your smile, I hear your voice and I know, without a doubt you are cheering us all on to keep fighting the good fight. I miss you so deeply, however I know I will see you again! Thank you for such a beautiful and loving friendship, especially in some of my most darkest hours. I'm so thankful that God placed you in my life and heart.
I love and miss you! ❤





Melissa, thank you for all you did in advancing His kingdom.  I will always remember your years helping us build and strengthen our worship team at Grace. Reading people’s memories and seeing your husband’s peace, I see you fought the good fight, you finished the race and you kept the faith. I pray the peace of God over all your family.  


Valentín 

I would like to offer my condolences to the family. As a speech pathologist myself in Canada, this news hit me hard, my heart goes out to her family and friends. 

Melissa was one of the BEST people ever and I am so lucky to have known her. We worked together as SLPs and she was always putting everyone before herself. She lit up every room she’d walk in to. I covered part of her maternity leave and words could not describe how excited she was for her growing family. My prayers and blessings will be with her and her family always. 

I am so sorry for your loss. Melissa was such a loving and caring person, you could tell by the way she lived that she loved God and it poured out into loving others. 

I met Melissa at work in 2018 when I moved to San Antonio for a few months. We were treating a patient together a few days before Thanksgiving and I didn’t know her very well at the time. She learned that I didn’t have family or plans for thanksgiving and invited me over for dinner. It was a wonderful experience meeting your family and getting to know her more.  It was a small act of kindness that really ministered to my lonely heart. 

That is how she was to those around her. She was a light to her patients life. She brought wisdom and love with her to a busy work day. 

I am praying for you. So sorry for your loss. 


May she rest in peace.
-a fellow Speech-Language Pathologist

Domingo, 
My deepest condolences on your loss.

Melissa, 
My beautiful and awesome friend from church. I thought of you often since you helps me a lot back in 2015 when I moved to Austin. I didn’t have any friends at that time. My friend sorry that we loss touch since you moved to SA. But I was happy for you and Domingo.
We will see each other one day and we will laugh again.
I will miss you so much and I always grateful.

Mariuxi C. 

I would like to extend my condolences to you and the family. I've known Melissa for a year and a half and I tell you it felt like I've known her forever. We worked together at the same facility. I had just gotten hired and Melissa welcomed me with open arms.  She was the sweetest person ever! That smile just lit up the whole building. She started this competition with me on who would get home first being we both worked such long hours at times. She would walk by me and say "I'm going to beat you today Miss Bea" and we would just laugh. Oh how I miss that laughter and smile of hers.  You and the family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers and may Our Father God give you peace of mind and in heart. 

Bea

My sincerest condolences to the family of this wonderful person. I grew up next to her and although I was always antisocial and only knew her from afar I always saw her as a successful person and always knew she would be successful in life. It is so sad to hear that she is no longer with us. I hope and pray for her entire family. May she RIP

Melissa, my beautiful and lovely best friend from elementary. Although we didn’t see each other after that, I thought of you often since you marked my childhood school years with your genuine and caring friendship.  We will meet one day with our Heavenly Father and will rejoice together. 

The first time I met you both I fell in love with you two lovelies. Watching your excitement as you began the process of building your dream home was such a treat for me. I will treasure all the conversations we had and the excitement you both had for the day your home would be complete! Johnny and I enjoyed the time we spent together, though it was too brief. I cannot believe you are gone Melissa it doesn’t seem real.  

May God Keep you and your family especially Domingo and the Baby in the Palm of His Hand. Rest In Peace Melissa you will never be forgotten.



My beloved wife,
I’m writing this with such a heavy heart. How I miss and love you so much. Life is not the same without out you, and I know it never will be.
As much as I want to tell you that I’m doing fine and well, I’m sure you can see I’m not. I don’t want you to worry though. Neither for me or for the baby. I made a promise to you that I would always take care of her. I also promised you that I would raise her in the manner in which you wanted. Trust knowing I will fulfill your wishes.
There is something I want to share with you which you probably already know. In the mist of all the pain and tears, there is a sense of gratitude that I have. I truly love and give thanks to our Lord that I at the very least, I had you in my life for as long as I did. You were always stronger in faith than I was, however your looking down on us now and I hope your proud to see the growth I’ve made because of you.
I’ve learned so much because of you, and always trust I will share and teach Eliana your love. I know your at peace now, and you are so deserving of such heavenly paradise. I just wish I had more time with you my Lovie. Nothing will ever take your place.
If anyone knows the timeline of our story, then they know that had a fast courtship. Fast engagement too. But our love story was meant for us to speed through that portion of our life together eventually meeting our goal.
... & that was for our love to unite in marriage and to live on forever

There will never be a goodbye from the baby & I. We will always be one family. We love you with all of of hearts Mi Corazon & will always miss you. 
Forever your loving husband and baby, 

Mingo, 
My sincerest condolences for you and your family on the unexpected passing of Melissa. We have been very blessed to have you and Melissa as neighbors these last few years. We look forward to watching our little ones grow up together. Melissa will never leave either you or your daughter's side ever again. Hang in there my friend. We both have a couple of beautiful angel's hanging over the culdesac now! God bless, Justin Gobar

My most sincere condolences to Melissa's family. I had the pleasure of working alongside melissa, and will never forget her willingness to help others, her contagious smile, and her and fun sense of humor. May she rest in heavenly peace.

Domingo, my deepest condolences on your loss. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers through this difficult time. I pray God gives you and your baby girls peace and comfort. You are not alone my brother. Much love!

Domingo, Melissa's parents, and family 
Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you. May God comfort you in this most difficult time. 
In Christ 's Love
Javi and Linda Ramos

November 28, 2020

With Heartfelt Sympathy to Domingo,  Melissa’s parents and family.  May God comfort each one, with His love and peace.  With love and prayers, 
Hector and Velma Fernandez



My sincere and most heartfelt condolences to Melissa's family and parents. May God fill you all with his peace. 
All my love and prayers💕💕🙏🙏

Melissa was a remarkable, loving sister and she will always be in our hearts. She left a little treasure on earth, Eliana, that will grow to be a strong woman of God. Melissa was a woman of faith and a devoted mother. She will always be remembered as a kind soul that brightened our lives.  We will hold you in our hearts until we hold you in heaven.  With heart felt condolences , Hinojosa Family 

Domingo,
Our deepest condolences to you and all the family.  The world has lost a beautiful soul. I first met Melissa while working with her at Las Colinas. She was such an amazing Speech Pathologist.  Melissa was so dedicated to her patients. I remember going to a facility she was working at to do a swallow study on one of her patients  and she tells me “ Just so you know when I get on the van I’m going to ask you for a lead vest” … I looked at her and with a glow on her face and beautiful smile she says “Yes, I’m pregnant and you are one of the few that know.”  She was so happy, and her smile was so contagious.  Every time I would see her, she would immediately pull out her phone to show me pictures of Eliana and how big she was getting. The last time we saw Melissa was at Party City. Melissa and Domingo were both getting ready to celebrate Eliana’s First Birthday. She was so excited that we talked for such a long time they even closed the store on us we laughed as they announced that the store was now closed.  Just last week I sent Melissa a message letting her know we were on the way to see a patient and even if her response was not one that anyone would want she continued her message by saying she was fighting hard to get home to Domingo and baby Eliana. She was happy that her baby was healthy and thriving and like always praising god. Melissa, we are all going to miss your contagious smile. You will be missed my friend. May you rest in paradise and watch over everyone. We will always love you and keep you close to our hearts. 
Erica and Cristy Lopez


My deepest condolences to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you through this difficult time. May he help you find comfort and healing. 

Domingo 

Words cannot describe the sadness I feel since hearing the sad news. I worked with Melissa and most mornings  we would share pictures of my great niece Lillyanna and your daughter Eliana  since they are the same age. Sometime mid October I found myself very grumpy with the election looming, she would tell me “Mari don’t be grumpy, God already has predestined the winner”. She gave me calmness hearing her spirituality of knowing God has this. 
I miss her terribly but knowing her love and faith in God brings me comfort. 
My deepest condolences to you, Eliana, her parents and your family. 

Mari Boghs 

Sending our deepest condolences to the family of our beautiful Melissa. When we met you and Domingo two years ago we instantly knew we would become friends. It felt as if we had known y'all forever and you truly became a blessing in our lives. I pray that my Ruben greeted you in heaven and that you both are watching over us. We will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for allowing us into your lives and blessing us with a beautiful friendship.  May you rest in heaven in the arms of God and the angels. Give my Ruben a big hug from me my dear friend. 

I met Melissa through my friend Domingo, her husband.  We talked about motherhood and I knew immediately she was a kind and sweet soul. I pray for comfort in her daughter and husband's life. Melissa was a beautiful and caring mother and wife. I know she has a special place in heaven. 

So sorry you had to leave this earth so soon, but I know you'll be watching over your family. Thank you for being such a big part of my parents life, I know that helped so much for them. Fly high 💜

Tony,
No amount of words can express the pain and loss you are going through.  I pray you are able to find the strength during this dark time.
Sincerely,
Laura Bailey

Melissa, last night a few of our old girl friends, messaged each other reminiscing about so many wonderful memories of our time with you.  I fondly remember our evenings together, and the moments we spent preparing for gatherings, you always took care of the little details and I enjoyed our time running errands and cooking in the kitchen.  I’m sure you’d be cooking up a storm today.  Even though, I don’t keep up the franchise, I always think of you when I see commercials for the Bachelor/Bachelorette, and remember our weekly dinners watching the show and trying new recipes. So, many wonderful memories at your house.   

On this Thanksgiving day, I give thanks for your life, for the blessing of our friendship, and for your willingness to purposefully live out your faith, making use of the spiritual giftings God gave you.  The body of Christ has been blessed by these gifts-your voice, your hospitality, and your willingness to disciple young women.  I remember seasons, were you felt overwhelmed with all the commitments, and I would tell you, slow down, don’t over-commit yourself.  But, as much as you wished for some downtime, you enjoyed the all the work and were blessed because of it.

Your sister Jessica, shared with me that you are now married and have a beautiful baby girl, and our dear friend Rosie shared photos from these paste few years.  I do regret having lost touch with you in these last few years, but rest in the hope that we will always be sisters-in-christ.

Melissa my sister we will dearly miss you. I will always remember you as a beautiful genuine and kind person.  We love you and it is not a goodbye but a see you later.  God is with
 you and we will see you in heaven. 

OBITUARY

Melissa C. Riojas

June 18, 1981 – November 24, 2020

Sunset Northwest Funeral Home

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