Emma Gonzalez Vela passed away peacefully surrounded by family on November 7, 2022. Emma was born in Palito Blanco, Texas on May 14, 1925, to Alejandro Gonzalez Guerra and Dora Chapa. As a child she grew up in Palito Blanco, where she was one of the oldest of thirteen brothers and sisters. She graduated from Ben Bolt High School and Texas A & I University. She began her teaching career in Ben Bolt, Texas. She and her family moved to Alice in 1948. In about 1956, she met the love of her life, Jose M. Vela. After a brief courtship they were married on July 28, 1957. She began teaching in Alice in 1957. She had two sons, John Alexander, and Jose Humberto. She taught for 35 years with the Alice I.S.D. She taught at Memorial Junior High School, Salazar Elementary, William Adams Junior High and Saenz Elementary. While at William Adams, she coached girl’s Physical Education. At Saenz she also taught elementary Physical Education. She retired in 1992. After retirement, she continued to be involved with school activities at local school football and basketball games. She was a charter member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Daughters of America. Emma was also involved with her husband at local elections as an election clerk. She began raising cattle with her husband Jose in 1985. While retired, she and her husband Jose enjoyed travelling across the U.S. to various casinos. Many of the places they visited included Las Vegas, Reno, Laughlin, Lake Tahoe, Coushatta, Kickapoo, and Tunica. Emma was a very generous person, she loved to invite relatives and friends over for Bar-B-Que. She was always giving and not expecting anything in return.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jose M. Vela; and son Joe H. Vela. Left behind to cherish her memory is her son John (Veronica) Vela, granddaughter Roxanne (Bryan) Gutierrez, grandson John Jr. (Irene) Vela and great grandchildren, Kayli, Aaliah, Ryann Joy and Liam Alexander, her sister Herlinda (Samuel) Deanda, and sisters-in-law Dalia Gonzalez and Lydia Gonzalez, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 16, 2022 from 5 till 9 p.m. at Rosas Funeral Home with a holy rosary beginning at 7:30 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial to follow at Lara Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements entrusted with ROSAS FUNERAL HOME, INC.