Elsa "Mickey" Neck

BROWNSVILLE, TX. - Elsa “Mickey” Neck, beloved wife, sister, aunt, madrina, and daughter of Marin Martinez, original owner of the Brownsville Taxi Cab located at 849 E. Washington from 1953, and of Rosa Martinez, a celebrated seamstress who for decades created beautiful folkloric Charro Days costumes in a boutique studio also located at the taxi cab address.

At seven o’clock in the morning on Tuesday, the 3rd of October 2023, just four days shy of her birthday, Mickey peacefully passed away with her niece Diana and nephew Terry at her side. She passed to join her Lord in Heaven and late husband of over fifty years and the love of her life, Oran W. Neck, Jr., of the Neck and Rentfro families.

Mickey was born October 7th and was raised in Brownsville attending the historic and notorious Incarnate Word Academy and the Villa Maria High School. After her marriage to Oran and due to his employment in the U.S. Customs, she went on to live together with Oran in Cotulla, Texas, Honolulu, Hawaii, Tucson, Arizona, Nogales, Arizona, Slidell, Louisiana, and El Paso, Texas for several decades before returning to Brownsville, Texas to reside permanently.

For more than forty years, Mickey served as a founding member and President of Charro Days, Inc. and a member of the Board, aiding in establishing business protocols and leadership roles alongside her husband. She was an Honorary Life Director for Charro Days, Inc. and served in various capacities including as Chairwoman for a number of years on the Costume and Float Design Committees ensuring the vibrancy of folkloric culture and colors of the Mexican heritage were always at the forefront of these celebrated designs. Mickey was an avid attendee of all the Charro Days functions, even as a young adult riding on parade floats in her beautiful costumes, sewn by her mother Rosa, and in the most recent past alongside her husband, Oran, as celebrated founding members. Her love of the Mexican heritage and culture included enjoying much singing and dancing at these annual Charro Days events.

As a longtime business owner in the food concessions industry and a recognized owner and operator, Mickey traveled extensively year-round initially with her husband, then accompanied by her longtime operations manager, Rene Lerma, and managing coordinator, John Patriarca. Event venues included many annual fairs and festivals in such places as the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, The Miami Dade County Fair, The Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair, and one of the furthest and largest events that played at the Minnesota State Fair boasting an annual attendance of over two million hungry foodies anxious to try all of the crazy and wild novelty foods that captivate these audiences each year. These happy patrons were always eager to chomp on the many food varieties from anything on a stick and fried, to the delicious menu of foods from “Mickey’s Grill” including their famous giant Turkey Legs, representing Texas style fresh smoked barbecue brisket sandwiches, and decades of perfecting their unctuous and savory beef and chicken kabobs that are favorites and popular sellouts every time, everywhere they went. Her business, Ormic Concessions, has been recognized in the industry and has received many accolades for their quality and special events services achievements and professionalism. They were franchise owners for decades of the famous novelty ice cream sensation known as Dippin' Dots Ice Cream.

Mickey remained a proud working business owner late in her years, being involved in honoring and representing her beloved Mexican heritage and culture, serving her community, and managing her successful endeavors up until her passing.

Survivors include her sister, Mary Rose Gonzalez (Hector Y.+), and her children, Hector Edward (Melanie Ostos), Ruben Michael (Stephanie), Oscar Steven (Sheila), Diana Kelley (Terry), Rene David and his daughter Kiana (Jake) and newborn baby, Ava Renée; and her brother, Noe Martinez, Sr. (Judy), Noe Martinez, Jr., son Noe Martinez, III (Tara), baby son Jettson Rey Martinez, Elsa Baughman (Stephen), son Steven Hunter Baughman. She is the madrina to Rene and Karla Lerma’s children, including Yamile and Christian Lerma, and to Valeria Quintero of Maria de la Luz Quintero Torres. She is also survived by numerous extended family members and by her sweet and dearly loved furbaby, Abby, her spunky Yorkie. She remains in the good hands and care of her longtime companion, Marina Montes.

Honored to serve as her pallbearers will be Terry Kelley, Ruben Gonzalez, Rene Gonzalez, Rene Lerma, John Patriarca, and Jake Solis. Honorary pallbearers are Noe Martinez, Sr., Noe Martinez, Jr., Hector E. Gonzalez, Oscar Gonzalez, John Neck, Tommy Neck, Tommy Neck, Jr., Robert Gracia, and Jerry Padalino.

A Special Thanks on behalf of the family to the following: to Mickey’s Loteria ladies who kept her entertained during the many years that followed after her husband’s passing, honorable mentions go out to Sylvia Patriarca, Karla Chapa Lerma, Marina Montes, Maria de la Luz Quintero Torres, Maria Luisa Torres Barroso, Alma Delgado and Teresa Stukes; to Mickey’s care persons who sat with her during the days and nights of her hospitalization Iliana Salazar, Dalys Trejo, Teresa Stukes, Dulce Julieta Gutierrez, Joana Rodriguez Quintero, and Marina Montes; to the Valley Baptist Medical Hospital and its caring staff on all floors and ICU departments; to Dr. Ahmad Karkoutly for his excellent care and to Dr. Oyetunde Siyanbade for his contribution; to Solara Hospital especially Rolando, Bobby, Pilar, Betty, Javier, Chris, David, the respiratory and Fresinius medical care teams for making Elsa’s life a little bit easier until the end, and countless others. The family is grateful for everyone’s kindness and care. God bless you all.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, the 9th of October 2023 between the hours of three o'clock in the afternoon and nine o'clock at night, with a recitation of the holy rosary to begin at seven o'clock Monday evening within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at two o’clock in the afternoon on Tuesday, the 10th of October 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 555 W. St Francis Street, Brownsville. All services will conclude at the church. Cremation will follow.

Memories of Mickey may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.