Romana G. Barreda

Romana G. Barreda passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 8, 2018. Romana was born February 10, 1915 to Erasmo and Maria Garza. She was a daughter of a pioneer family who settled in the Rio Grande Valley in the 1800's. Through faith and the love of the Lord, she lived through many hardships and blessings throughout her life, never ceasing to praise the Lord. Romana was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church where she was a past member of the Altar and Rosary Society and Catholic Daughters of the Americas. She was also one of the first Mexican American members of the League of Women Voters in the city of Brownsville. She was a true believer of making your voice heard through the privilege of voting. She could be considered a pioneer in the political process in the Rio Grande Valley involving herself by selling poll tax out of her home. In spite of the hardships, she was proud of her three sons who served in the Vietnam War at the same time. Five out of eight sons served in the armed forces. Romana received a letter of gratitude for her patriotism from President Barack Obama. She was also honored with a certificate commemorating her on her 100th birthday by State Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., the Honorable Janet Leal, the Honorable Benjamin Euresti, Jr. and City Commissioner Rick Longoria.

Romana had the opportunity to travel to many beautiful and interesting places with her family. In her leisure time, she also enjoyed watching "Wheel of Fortune", "The Price is Right" and gardening. She read her Bible every day and loved singing hymns in church and in her kitchen. Some of her most precious light-hearted years were spent at the baseball park watching her boys play ball with her husband Alfredo and her family. She will always be remembered for the care, love and sacrifices she made for her family.

Romana is survived by her daughters Rose Mary Wills, Alma B. (Richard) Peterson; and sons Robert H. Wills (Carolyn), Antonio, Ramiro (Rosa), Raul (Anna), Juan M. "Mr.B" (Rebecca), Albert, daughter-in-law Martha Barreda; sister-in-law, Florinda C. Garza; twenty-nine grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren. She was also blessed by an abundance of great and great-great-grandchildren.

Romana was preceded in death by her parents Erasmo and Maria Conde Garza; her husband Alfredo M. Barreda; her sons Gustavo, Alfredo (Freddy); her sister Angelita G. Thompson; brothers Felix, Manuel, Erasmo, Alberto and Antonio Garza; stepsons Alfred B. McAllen, Ruben Barreda and Robert Barreda; daughter-in-law Maria Barreda.

Honored to be serving as Romana's pallbearers are Robert Nunez, Richard Nunez, Alfred Nunez, David Nunez, Raul Barreda and Tre Paz. Honorary pallbearers will be Anthony Barreda, Chris Ewing, Scott Ewing, Michael Barreda , Ramiro Barreda, Jr., Rusty Brechot, Mark Babcock and John Paz.

Romana's family would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to Romana's caregivers at The Rio at Fox Hollow. A special thanks goes to Dr. Stanley Sy, Annette Rios (social worker), nurses and CNA's. Also, we thank Safe Haven Hospice and the entire staff for their genuine compassion and belief that every life is precious and deserves to die in dignity.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the recitation of the rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Darling-Mouser Funeral Home, East Chapel. Funeral services will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. with burial to follow at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens, Brownsville, Texas.

Visitation

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Service

Recitation of the Holy Rosary

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass

St. Mary Mother of the Church
1914 Barnard Road
Brownsville, TX  78520
Thursday, January 11, 2018
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens
4464 Old Port Isabel Road
Brownsville, TX  78526