INOCENCIA “CHENCHA” VELA
MISSION - Inocencia “Chencha” Vela, 88, as she was affectionately known, passed away on Tuesday, July 25, 2017, at McAllen Medical Center, surrounded by her family. Ms. Vela was born in Mission, TX, and lived there all of her life.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Bonifacio and Carolina (Garza) Vela, and her sisters, Mrs. Carolina V. (Jesus) Trevino and Mrs. Lydia V. (+Israel) Rodriguez.
She is survived by her six siblings, Ramiro & Maria (+Hermila) Vela, Reynaldo (Aurora) Vela, Raul (Lydia) Vela, Amparo (+ Rafael) Barbosa, Roberto (Irma) Vela, and Rogelio (Marianela) Vela.
“Chencha” or “Tia Chencha” was a loving and caring sister to her brothers and sisters, a great sister-in-law, a loving and devoted daughter, and a very caring and loving aunt to her many nieces and nephews. The memories of her are endless, with one of the fondest being at her home and watching her make her favorite refried beans and homemade tortillas with chilito, which became one of the family’s favorite treats. She was always worried about each of her family members and loved everyone. Chencha was her sister Caro’s best friend, they were inseparable; therefore, the phrase “Caro and Chencha” was a norm for the family. They will now be joined in heaven, rejoicing with their parents and other family members. She was fond of her many nieces and nephews and always had something to say which would make them smile. Being the eldest of the family, she worried for everyone and would scold her brothers and sisters as if they were her children. She will always be remembered for her funny smirks, and her loving, scolding, and witty eyes, which brought such laughter and love to our hearts. She will be missed but never forgotten.
Visitation was held from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary Thursday, July 27, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Funeral service took place at 10 a.m., Friday, July 28, at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Mission. Interment followed at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Mission.
A special thank you goes out to the nurses and staff at Briarcliff Nursing Home. A personal thank you to Angie Gonzalez (nurse at Briarcliff) for her love and dedication to our beloved Chencha.
Funeral services were under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.