Elia Villarreal

Elia M. Villarreal, 74, affectionately known as ‘Tiny’ went to be with our Lord on January 7, 2022.  She was born to Simon Villarreal and Delfina Morales on May 20, 1947, in Riviera, Texas. She attended primary school in Sarita and was a graduate of Riviera High School.  After graduating she worked as a fingerprint technician in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Identification Division in Washington, D.C.  After her time with the FBI, Elia returned to Texas to work for General Electric in Houston as an accounting clerk.  After she retired from GE, she returned to Riviera, TX to work at the family business.

She was beloved by her family and friends. She was the type of person who was knowledgeable on all sorts of subjects and was always up to date on current events. She had a great sense of humor, was kind-hearted and had a soft spot in her heart for animals.  If there was ever a stray animal that showed up on her doorstep, she would do whatever she could to ensure that it had a home and was well-cared for. Elia Villarreal may have been “Tiny” in stature, but she was a giant in our hearts.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother Roel.

Among those left to cherish her memory are her sisters, Manuela Villarreal and Elma Lowe of Riviera and Elvia Sloan of Houston; brothers, Roberto and Raul of Riviera and Rodolfo Villarreal of Houston; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family will receive condolences on Friday, January 14, 2022, at Turcotte-Piper Mortuary, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM; with a holy rosary to be recited at 7:00 PM.  A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 15, 2022, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Sarita, TX.  Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at Rivera Cemetery.

Honoring her as pallbearers are Eleazar ‘Chay’ Esparza, Ernesto ‘Neto’ Esparza, Tony Kading, Sr., Mark Kading, Henry Munoz, and Roberto E. Villarreal.

Honorary pallbearers are Tony Kading, Jr., Robert Kading, Patrick Villarreal, and Gabriel Villarreal