Melissa Estela Arevalo

Melissa Estela Montalvo Arevalo, 46, joined our Lord in His heavenly kingdom on Friday, July 5, 2024, after a valiant battle with cancer. 

Her devotion to family and her firm belief in God supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her peace. Melissa was blessed with a loving family, friends, and professional peers. 

A graduate of United High School, class of 1995, she then went on to receive her Bachelor’s degree from TAMIU with a degree in Elementary Ed/PE, and a Certification in Special Education. From the very beginning, she dedicated her children to God and encouraged them to explore the beauty of the gospels, and the sacraments of the Catholic Church. Melissa was an educator at heart. She was kind and soft-spoken, and always had time to answer a question or solve a problem, no matter how small. She is dearly missed by her loved ones, students and fellow faculty members, who celebrate the fact that she is at peace with her Creator. 

Melissa was the quintessential sports mom and creator of many magical moments for her family and especially her three children: Javi, Edgar and Abby. She devoted countless hours supporting her children with their education, providing advice on personal situations, and their individual interests. 

Through her cancer journey, she taught those around her what it looks like to live bravely and always with joy and a smile. She was known for her trademark spunk, even until the end. Melissa will forever be a bright, guiding light to her family and loved ones.

 She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Stephen Arevalo; maternal grandparents, Rodolfo Sr. & Lamar Ramirez; paternal grandparents, Dr. Lauro & Estela Montalvo. 

 Left to cherish her memory are her children, Javier, Edgardo Jr., and Abigail Renae; her parents, Javier and Lamar Montalvo; her sister, Lori Lamar (Oscar) Moreno; her niece and nephew, Chloe Elise Salinas, and Landon Moreno; as well as aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends.

The family will be receiving condolences on Thursday evening, July 11, 2024 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd.; where a Vigil for the Deceased and Rosary will commence at 7 p.m.

Funeral Services will be conducted on Friday morning, July 12, 2024 departing at 9 a.m. from Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels to Christ the King Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m.

Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the family plot of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Javier Esquivel, Oscar Moreno, Jesus “JJ” Herrera, Steven Michael, Christopher Turner, Elian Ojeda, Jose Vega, Jaime Perez, and Julian Gonzalez, Jr. 

Honorary Pallbearers will be Javier, EJ, Abby, Landon, Chloe, Byron, Rudy Jr., Rudy “Sonny” III, Robert “Bob”, and Michelle. The family would like to extend her heartfelt gratitude to her caretakers Socorro Puente, and Alejandra Pacheco.

 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.