Erlinda Deleon

Erlinda DeLeon passed away peacefully on October 23, 2016 at her residence, surrounded by her loving family. Erlinda was born on January 29, 1926 in Kingsville, Texas to Andres DeLeon Sr. and Erlinda Fuentes DeLeon. Erlinda was a devout Catholic, and was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Bishop, Texas. She could be often found at her kitchen table reciting her nightly ritual of the rosary as well as prayers for her family and friends.
In 1932 her parents Andres DeLeon Sr and Erlinda DeLeon settled on 600 acres of rich farmland known as the Santa Julia Ranch where they lived a blessed and productive life farming cotton and sorghum. Erlinda and her siblings were expected to assist with the day to day operations of running a farm and many days while her father and brothers were hard at work in the fields the ladies were furiously at task with the cooking and homemaking duties. On many occasions she had to cook not only for her family but also for the ranch hands, which could number over 20 people at one sitting. She always cooked from her heart, loving every minute of it. She was well known as the greatest cook around, and no one left her table hungry. Thanksgiving and Christmas meals were her favorite as well as her annual Good Friday meal, prepared days in advance to enjoy with her loved ones during the Lenten season. Erlinda had many beautiful qualities, too numerous to list, however the love she had for her family was the most important. The center of the home was her heart and she was happiest when her family gathered around the kitchen table either sewing, quilting, baking or making holiday tamales and cookies. She was extremely intelligent, loved crossword puzzles and reading, and was very progressive with technology and the changing times. She feared nothing and was loved by all. She helped everyone and no one was a stranger to her. She made friends easily because of her kind, gentle and loving ways. She was compassionate and possessed a gregarious personality. Her requests were simple and humble; but her heart was rich with love for her family. She leaves a legacy of gentle humor and her laughter and smiling big brown eyes will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Andres DeLeon Sr. and Erlinda Fuentes DeLeon, sister Herminia DeLeon, and her sister in law, Beatriz Ortega DeLeon. She is survived by three brothers, Ernest F. (Beatriz+) DeLeon of Brownsville , Andres (Janie) DeLeon Jr. of Bishop, and Arnold F. (Dianna) DeLeon of Corpus Christi as well numerous nieces and nephews and their families.
Visitation will take place on Tuesday October 25, 2016 from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Turcotte-Piper Mortuary in Kingsville, Texas. Rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm on Tuesday October 25, 2016 at the Turcotte-Piper Chapel as well. Funeral Mass will be held at 3:00 pm on Wednesday October 26, 2016 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 1102 E. Kleberg Street in Kingsville, Texas. Interment will follow at Santa Gertrudis Cemetery in Kingsville, Texas. The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Altus Hospice for their services with special thanks to Christina Kobando, Moses Salomon, and Katie Hougham. The family would also like to thank to Chaplain Susan Beltran, as well as her caregivers of many years, Maricela Martinez, Lupita Andrade and Laura Ramos. Her special angels Dianna S. DeLeon and Linda Wollaston made sure she was comfortable in her last days with us and to them we are forever grateful.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Turcotte-Piper Mortuary, 205 General Cavazos Blvd., Kingsville, Texas.

Visitation

Turcotte-Piper Mortuary Chapel
205 General Cavazos Blvd.
Kingsville, TX  78363
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Service

Rosary

Turcotte-Piper Mortuary Chapel
205 General Cavazos Blvd.
Kingsville, TX  78363
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass

Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church
1120 East Kleberg Street
Kingsville, TX  78363
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
3:00 p.m.

Cemetery

Santa Gertrudis Cemetery
835 West Caesar Avenue
Kingsville, TX  78363