Cristela G. Loera, age 93, a cherished lifelong resident of Kingsville, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2025.

Born on December 20, 1931, in Kingsville to Ricardo and Manuela Gonzales, Cristela lived a life rooted in love, hard work, and devotion to family. She proudly served as a housekeeper for King Ranch Inc., where she worked with dedication for over 25 years, including many years of personal service to Mary Louise Kleberg.

Cristela found love in Antonio Loera late in life. He gave her memorable adventures outside of Kingsville, including indulging her love of dancing. She was a longtime member of St. Martin Catholic Church. Her most joyous moments were family gatherings, BBQs, making tamales, attending church, visiting the gravesites of her loved ones at the cemetery, and watching her telenovelas.

She always expressed that she had lived a long and prosperous life because she did not have any vicios, and she was very proud of it. She loved socializing on the telephone with friends and family members — the telephone always, always had to be within reach of her. She enjoyed sitting by the front door to watch the birds gather in the front yard.

She will be truly missed by all her family and friends who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Cristela was preceded in death by her parents, Ricardo and Manuela Gonzales; her beloved husband, Antonio Loera Sr.; her sister, Otilia Gutierrez; her brothers, Gilberto Gonzales and Ricardo Gonzales Jr.; son-in-law, Juan Trejo; and her stepson, Joe Loera.

She leaves behind a legacy of love and strength through her children: Olga (Ernesto) Cruz, Blanca (Raymond) Gonzalez, Araceli Trejo, Manuel (Maria) Zamora, and Bisente (Maria) Zamora. A proud grandmother to fourteen grandchildren—Arturo, Gabriel, Ramey, Melissa, Daniel, David, Juan, Baldemar, Benjamin, Bisente Jr., Noelia, and Alberto—she was also a great-grandmother to twenty-three great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandmother to two. In addition, four step-sons—Arnoldo (Mona) Loera, Antonio (Mari) Loera Jr., Andres (Delma) Loera, and Alberto (Virginia) Loera—and one stepdaughter, Hilda (Humberto) De La Vina, were part of her extended family. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive her and will remember her with deep affection. Cristela will be remembered for her quiet strength, her lifelong dedication to her family, and the warmth she brought to every life she touched.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 21, 2025, beginning at 8:00 a.m. at Ramirez-Salinas Funeral Home, with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 9:30 a.m.

A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. at St. Martin's Catholic Church with Father Alfredo Villarreal officiating. Burial will be held at Santa Gertrudis Memorial Cemetery.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Choice Hospice, with special appreciation for Melissa Barrett, Roxy Soliz, Gina Cantu, Lydia Rodriguez, and Evelyn Monk, for their compassionate care and support.