On Friday, April 3, 2015, the doors of heaven opened and our Heavenly Father welcomed Reyes S. Cabrera into His Kingdom. Reyitos (Nana) was born on April 7, 1919 in Kingsville, TX to Juan and Tomasita Marroquin Solis. She graduated from H. M. King High in 1937 and shortly married Eduardo (Wayo) Cabrera. Nana was a devoted wife and mother who lived her Catholic faith and whose life modeled her devotion to God, love for family, service to others, love for music, importance of education and work ethics that helped shape the lives of her family and that of many more. She and Wayo served as baptismal, confirmation, and/or marriage sponsors to over 300 children and adults prior to Papa Wayo's death.
Nana is survived by a son, Jr. Eduardo (Connie) S. Cabrera and two daughters, Elia (Ray) Morais and Susana (Pete) Moya, 7 grandchildren, Ray (Debbie) Morais, Debbie (Keith) Olmsted, Linda (Shannon) Bowles, Wayne (Doreen) Morais, Juan E. (Claudia) Cabrera, Monica (Carl) De Leon, Rick Cabrera, and 1 step-grandson, Pete (Jina) Moya Jr., 12 great-grandchildren, 4 step great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandsons. Also surviving her include her sister, Nelda (Santiago) Jaramillo and sisters-in-law, Nazarita G. Solis, Ernestina C. Guerra, Esther Gomez, Evangelina (Johnny) Marroquin, Elia (Renerio) Mesa and brother-in-law, Edelmiro (Emma) Cabrera. She is predeceased by her parents, her husband, and siblings, Ofelia (Gilbert) Martinez, Maria (Sam) Rocha, Johnny Solis, and Delia (Israel) Garcia.
Working, cooking, and traveling were a way of life for Nana. She worked for Kingsville I.S.D. as secretary at three elementary schools-Kleberg, Austin, and Harvey- and then became Recorder for the Registrar office at A&I University and was the first Hispanic woman employed by the university thus opening doors for others to follow. She was also a very active member of St. Martin Catholic Church and later of Our Lady of Good Counsel prior to moving to Padre Island in Corpus Christi in 2001.
Upon retirement, Nana traveled extensively spending extended periods of time in Norway, Hawaii, Alaska, Germany, Mexico, and Spain. During illnesses, deaths, new births, family celebrations or someone requesting prayers for family or friends, she was the first one to volunteer or called to assist and she would be there from beginning to end. Her fabulous cooking was just an extra plus.
Visitation will begin on Wed., 04-08-2015 at 8:00 A.M. followed by a Rosary. The Funeral Mass will also be on Wed., 04-08-2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Martin Catholic Church.
Burial will follow at the Wayo Estates Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Ray and Wayne Morais, Juan E. and Rick Cabrera, Great-grandson, Trent Bowles and nephews, Johnny Solis, Israel Garcia, and Joe Martinez.
Honorary pallbearers include Dr. Sam Rocha, Romeo Rocha, and Jimmy Jaramillo.
Memorials can be made to Solis-Marroquin Scholarship Fund, 510 Taos Dr. Victoria, TX 77904
Arrangements are under the direction of Ramirez-Salinas Funeral Home.