Marcela Flores

Our Mother, Marcela Olivares Flores, 89, went to be with the Lord on November 3, 2013 with her family around her. She was born January 31, 1924 to Rafael and Raquel Olivares in Skidmore. Mom graduated from Skidmore High School in 1943. From 1943-1945, she worked at Pan American Airways in Brownsville, Texas as a supply clerk, a job previously held by men who had been sent to fight overseas during WW II. She also worked for a clothing manufacturing company in Brownsville, Texas. As part of the "Greatest Generation" that survived the Great Depression, Mom learned to love our God and Country, respect parents, take care of family, show responsibility, discipline, work ethics, integrity, and pride in everything she did. This is a legacy that has been handed down to her entire family. Returning to Skidmore, Mom married our Dad, Margarito Flores, and was a homemaker until her husband's death in 1975. Needing to support her young children, our Mom then worked with the Skidmore-Tynan Independent School District as a cafeteria manager for 17 years until her retirement in 1991. While living in Skidmore, Mother was a member of First Baptist Church. In 1997, she moved to Beeville to be closer to church and family. Throughout her life, Mother was a member of Primera Iglesia Bautista, a Charter member of New Life Baptist Church, and a member of First Baptist Church of Beeville, Texas. In 2010, due to declining health, Mom moved to Mineral, Texas to live with her eldest daughter and son-in-law and began attending and joined Primera Iglesia Bautista of Mineral. Mother enjoyed spending time with her family and sharing her cooking and sewing skills. Her talent of creating handmade quilts of exceptional designs was learned from her mother and grandmother. We consider her gift of quilts a priceless treasure to remember. Mother is survived by three daughters, Sylvia Flores Chapa (Hilario) of Mineral, Texas, Sandra Flores Kines (Don) of San Antonio, Texas, and Sarah Flores Bynum (Jay) of Fairfax Station, Virginia; two sons, David Flores (Delfina) of Alice, Texas, and Jesse Flores (Jackie) of Corpus Christi, Texas; one step-daughter-in-law Elida Flores; one step-son Israel "Chico" Flores, from Beeville. Mother was blessed with 9 grandchildren, Leticia Avila, Alisa Chapa Parker (Shelby), Andrea Chapa Stewart (Mark), Sierra Flores, Autumn Flores, Jared Flores, Gina Flores, Rachel Bynum, and Stephanie Bynum; and 11 step-grandchildren, Rudy Flores, Jr. (Carol), Ricky Flores, Ruben Flores (Mary), Regina Flores, Rhonda Flores, Lisa Flores, Stephen Flores, Linda Flores, Tammy Flores (James Green), Kristina Flores, Mario Flores (Sarah); 8 great grandchildren, and 8 step great-grandchildren; several step great-great- grandchildren. Three sisters also survive Mother, Anita O. Castillo (Antonio, deceased) of Lubbock, Texas, Elia O. Alvarado (Baldemar, deceased) of Beeville, Yolanda O. Silva (David) of Beeville, two brothers, Paul Olivares (Laura, deceased) of Beeville, Fermin "Mino" Olivares (Rosa) of Skidmore; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 25 years, Margarito Flores, her parents, Rafael and Raquel Olivares, one son, Rafael "Ralph" Avila, a stepson, Rudy Flores, Sr., six brothers, Jose Olivares, who died in infancy, Jose "Pepe" Olivares (Heljo), Margarito "Mac" Olivares (Ofilia, deceased), Tiburcio "Tote" Olivares (Alicia), Lazaro Olivares (Mary), Sr., Manuel Olivares; and one sister, Eusebia "Cheva" O. Esparza (Jose, deceased). Our family would like to thank Woodridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Hospice of South Texas, and especially, Private Care Giver, Ester Gonzales for taking such great care of Mother during her illness. Thank you also Tias Anna, Elia, and Yolanda for always being there with loving support and care. Visitation will be at Angelus Funeral Home on November 4, 2013, with the evening service at 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be celebrated at November 5, 2013, at First Baptist Church, Beeville at 10:00 am. Internment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Skidmore. Pallbearers will be Eino Olivares, Ralph Olivares, Rocky Alvarado, Ronnie Olivares, Danny Olivares, and Tino Olivares. Angelus Funeral Home