Odilia Cuellar

Mrs. Odilia P. Cuellar, 87, entered into the presence of the Almighty during the early hours of Tuesday, December 15, 2015 in San Antonio, Texas.

Odilia was born in Zapata, Texas on June 2, 1928. She married Martin Siller Cuellar in Guerrero Viejo, Tamaulipas, Mexico in 1953. They first met outside a church. Together, they shared 62 years of a faithful and happy marriage. Odilia and Martin worked in Utah, Colorado, Idaho and other states as migrant workers. They moved to Laredo where they welcomed eight children to their home. For eight years, Odilia and Martin and their family lived and worked in a ranch near Campwood, Texas before returning and residing for the remainder of their lifetime in Laredo. Despite earning only a 6th grade education, Odilia taught her children the importance of getting a good education and working hard. Odilia loved her children so much that she provided, cared and supported her family every minute of her life.

Odilia was a very religious, and devout Catholic who prayed every day and night for all her loved ones.

Odilia had a very sharp mind and her children will forever remember her as a humble, strong, loving, hard-working mother who encouraged them to pursue their goals and to always help people and treat them with respect. Odilia was the backbone of the Cuellar Family. Odilia was very articulate, organized, and was very good at math. Odilia cooked the best home-made Mexican food, especially tortillas. During the campaigns for her children Henry, Martin and Rosie, Odilia was the hardest working person and the biggest supporter in each campaign. Odilia was honored by the Catholic Social Services of Laredo and the LULAC Council #12 for her lifetime achievements. When asked about her greatest accomplishment when she was recently honored by the Catholic Socials Services of Laredo, Odilia replied; "We were blessed, blessed with great children."

The Cuellar family would like to thank all the doctors and nurses at Laredo Medical Center and University Hospital in San Antonio, as well as her physicians, Dr. Cesar Tula, Dr. Arturo Garza-Gongora, Dr. Steven Bailey and Dr. Leo and Dr. Ricardo Cigarroa.

She is preceded death by her parents Enrique Perez Torres and Elisa Reyes Sanchez and her brothers: Francisco "Paco" Perez Reyes and Manuel Perez Reyes.

Left behind to cherish her memory are her husband: Martin Siller Cuellar; children: Henry (Imelda) Cuellar, Carlos (Laura) Cuellar, Martin (Veronica) Cuellar, Tony Cuellar, Jorge (Monica) Cuellar, Odilia Cuellar, Rosie Cuellar, Manuel "Meme" (Diana) Cuellar; 18 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; sister, Rosita Perez as well as a great number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The family received condolences on Thursday, December 17, 2015 at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd., from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. where a Vigil for the Deceased and Rosary was celebrated at 7 pm.

The procession will depart the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. this morning, Friday, December 18, 2015 for a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 555 E. Del Mar Blvd., at 10 a.m.

Rite of Committal and Interment will follow to the family plot at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Henry Cuellar, Carlos Cuellar, Martin Cuellar, Tony Cuellar, Jorge Cuellar, Manuel Cuellar, Mario A. Castillo, III, Zachary Cuellar, and Lazaro Castillo.

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

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