Elsa Soto

“Her children arise and call her blessed.”  Proverbs 31:28

Elsa M. Soto peacefully entered our Lord’s kingdom on October 30, 2020.  Mom was born in Torreon, Coahuila on April 16, 1934 to Ignacio Mendoza and Maria Luisa Carrillo.  She will be greatly missed by her seven loving children and their spouses, twelve grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Mom’s laugh was recognizable and infectious.  She was full of spirit and was the life of all family gatherings.  Our fondest memories consist of annual birthday parties and holiday celebrations. They were filled with music, joy, her unique decorations and delicious meals.  Mom made our home the happiest place to be (except when she pulled out the chancla).

She was a loving Mother to all who entered her home and life. Her generosity was unequaled.  She always had room for extra mouths to feed, and always had extra gifts at Christmas time for friends that visited unexpectedly.

Mom was creative and talented.  She taught her children piano, drawing, and cooking.  She sewed her children’s clothing and made beautiful floral arrangements and wreaths. Her Christmas themed decorations were the talk of the town, illuminating the neighborhood with Christmas spirit; many special guests cameoed in her adornments, Bart Simpson, Batman, Topo Gigio, The Chipmunks, and E.T. to name a few.

While our Father instilled a deep yearning and appreciation for education, our Mom encouraged us to live life to its fullest and to love immensely.

Even though she possessed these wonderful qualities, the most beautiful of all was her deep faith and love of God. She believed that Jesus Christ was her Lord and Savior and gave him all the Glory and Praise for everything and everyone in her life; may we all do the same.

The Soto family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Arturo Garza-Gongora and his staff.  Special thanks to her granddaughter and favorite Nurse Practitioner, Priscilla Ramos, who provided excellent loving care.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ignacio Mendoza and Maria Luisa Carrillo; father of her children, Ruben Soto; brother, Ernesto Perez Carrillo; and sisters-in-law, Consuelo Marchan, Maria Eugenia Aguilar, and Esperanza Soto.

She is survived by her beloved children, Rina Stogdill (Neil), Leida E. Soto, Cheli (Jaime) Gonzalez, Ruben, Jr. (Aurora G.), Crisanto II (Veronica), Alex I. (Alma), and Arturo L. (Lucinda); grandchildren, Priscilla (Rene) Ramos, Evita Flores, Alex Gonzalez, Alyssa (Monti) Young, Melissa Soto, Karina Isabella Soto, Victoria Soto, Arianna Soto, Roman (Jina) Soto, Reece Soto, Cristabel Soto, and Sarina Soto; and great-grandchildren, Melody Grace Ramos, Rene Ramos Jr., Alejandro Daniel Gonzalez, Ethan Gonzalez Bruni, and Mollie Grace Young. She is further survived by her sisters, Carmen Mendoza Lobato (Gabriel, deceased), Gloria Carrillo, and Margarita Machorro Perez; brother, Javier Perez Carrillo; and sister-in-law, Alicia S. Lopez (Gilbert, deceased); as well as by numerous nieces, nephews, and other loved relatives and friends.

In her memory, the family welcomes donations which can be made to: Laredo Area Community Foundation under the Ruben & Elsa Soto Memorial Fund dedicated to the pursuit of higher education, please visit: www.laredofoundation.org, or mail: P.O. Box 450223, Laredo, TX 78045.

To all our family and friends, as our Mom would always end her phone calls, “Cuidense mucho and I love you!”

Funeral Services were held privately for the immediate family.

Memorial mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning, November 07, 2020 at San Martin de Porres Catholic Church.

You may express your condolences, share your favorite memories, and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.