Emma Ornelas

Emma Elva P. Ornelas

May 11, 1933-February 26, 2021

This is the day we lost an angel, our loving mother Emma Ornelas, 87, was called by our Lord to her resting place in Heaven after a lengthy illness to join our dad.  Her devotion and love for our dad never waivered as they were soul mates.  We are heartbroken but at peace knowing they are together again.

Emma is preceded in death by her husband, Armando Ornelas, her parents Ramon and Ofelia Perez, brothers Ignacio, Rolando and Ramon Perez and sister Minerva Montelongo; also her Ornelas in-laws Pablo and Martina, Lilia, Francisco and Romelia, Renato and Carolina, Adolfo and Raquel Lopez and Roel and Norma.

She is survived by her loving children: Melba (David) Gonzales, Armando Jr. (Patricia) Ornelas, Anselmo (Susan) Ornelas, Elsa (Luis Jr.) Ortiz, Arnold (Christine) Ornelas, Lorena (Jose) Vela and Anthony Ornelas; grandchildren: Pamela Lynn (Chris) Valentine, Luis III (Mayra) Ortiz, Charles Aaron Ortiz, Kaylie Celeste Ornelas, Amanda Rae Gonzales, Arnoldo Ornelas, Jr., Aaron Armando Ornelas, Ruby Lorraine Vela, Joseph G. Vela, David Anthony Gonzales, Victoria Nicole Gonzales and Priscilla Rubio; great-grandchildren: Riley Lynn Valentine, Adam Armando Valentine, Christopher John Valentine, Amber Alexandra Ortiz and Emma Nicole Rangel.  She is also survived by numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

Emma attended Laredo public schools and graduated from Martin High School in 1952, a very proud red and white Tiger.

To those who knew our mom, you can agree that she was a beautiful soul with so much love to give.  She was our rock, the wind beneath our wings.  Our faith, morals, values and strength we carry were taught by her, and we became the adults we are today because of them.  Mom was a fighter, a warrior on up to the end.

Her whole world revolved around her children and grandchildren.  She loved us more than life itself.  Her happiness always came from our accomplishments.  If you looked at her, her face shone with pride at all we had done and become.  We were so blessed to have our mom this long, the one person who held our secrets, dreams, and happiness in her heart.

Our mom was so giving and compassionate that we often shared her with others.  She was the “second mom” to so many and known to family and friends as their “Dear Abby”, and we were proud!  Every thing centered around her kitchen, as she loved to cook – the simplest food but the best because it was served with love.

Our family would like to express our most heartfelt and sincere gratitude to those individuals who touched mom’s life in so many ways while she was ill: Dr. Ildefonso Flores and his staff, HEB on Guadalupe Pharmacist Frank, Terry from Med Mart, Laredo Medical Center Emergency Doctor – Luis Pellicia, La Esperanza Home Health, Amistad Home Health, and from St. Jude Hospice – Dr. Alex Blanco, Patricia, Lisa, Annie, Billy, Mom’s nurse, and Mr. Soto, Chaplain.  In particular, our beloved aunts who visited often: Estela Perez and Consuelo Perez, and we cannot say enough about her personal caregivers Alejandra and Sara for their love, attention, compassion, and care of our mother for 11 years.

**COVID-19 Protocols will be followed at all times within the funeral home facility, church and cemetery.  All wishing to attend are asked to keep their distance from the family as well as follow all posted signs.**

The family will be receiving condolences on Thursday evening, March 4, 2021 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 719 Loring at Cortez; where a Vigil for the Deceased and Rosary will commence at 7 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday morning, March 5, 2021 departing at 8:40 a.m. from Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels to Christ the King Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 a.m.

Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the family plot in the Zapata County Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Armando Ornelas, Jr., Anselmo Ornelas, Arnoldo Ornelas, Anthony Ornelas, David Gonzales, Luis Ortiz, Jr., and Jose Vela.

Honorary Pallbearers will be:  Chris Valentine, Luis Ortiz III, Charles Ortiz, Arnoldo Ornelas, Jr., Aaron Ornelas, Joseph Vela, and David Anthony Gonzales.

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 Heights Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 719 Loring at Cortez, Laredo, Texas 78040; (956)722-0001.