Obituaries

Amando G. Salaiz “Mando”, age 72, passed away June 12, 2022 at his home surrounded by his family. Mando lost a short battle to Brain Cancer. He was born October 13, 1949 in San Diego, Texas to Cruz and Refugia Salaiz. Mando was a veteran who served in the United States Army. Mando retired from Corpus Christi Army Depot after 30 years of employment. He later worked with the San Diego Independent School District for many years. Mando enjoyed family gathering with his brothers and sisters. He also enjoyed spending time with his brothers and sisters-in-law and their families. Mando enjoyed relaxing and watching television and was known to many for his love of his quiet time. Mando was loving husband, father, grandpa, great grandpa, uncle, brother and friend. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Emede Perez Jr., 61 years of age, left to join our Heavenly Father on Saturday, May 28, 2022. He was born here in Alice, Texas on November 26, 1960, to Emede Perez Sr. and Diamantina Saenz. He worked for many years at Pioneer drilling where his passion for truck driving and mechanicing grew greater. He began working at a very young age and will forever be remembered for his hard work ethic. Emede enjoyed barbecuing for family (which he loved to feed), gambling, seeing his daughter participate in sports, but above all spending time with his granddaughter. Emede is preceded in death by his loving parents Emede and Diamantina Perez and his sister Nora Lisa Espinoza all of Alice. He is survived by his 5 children, daughters: Mariah Naranjo (Jaime Diosdado), Julissa Perez, and Jessica Perez, sons: Emede III and David Perez all of Alice, Texas. Emede also leaves behind his 7 grandchildren: Mario (MJ) Garibay, Sara Perez, Arianna Valls, and Everlee Diosdado all of Alice; Emarie, Krista, & Gabriel Garcia of Corpus Christi, Texas and one great-grandchild Elena Gamboa also of Corpus Christi, Texas. Additional survivors include his siblings: Patsy Salas, Rosie (Luis) Galvan, Oscar Perez, Cynthia Gomez, and Laura (Adrian) Trejo all of Alice; Gracie (Vicky) Villarreal of Lake Jackson and nephew Cruz Perez III, who was raised as a brother. Emede will be dearly missed by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Nikki Madrid Garza- 40 years of age passed away on May 16, 2022, peacefully in her sleep. Nikki was born on February15, 1982 in Florida to Manuel Madrid and Consuelo Pizano. She was presently employed with the Jim Wells County Justice of the peace office of Judge Richard DeLeon. Nikki received a degree from Texas A&M Kingsville in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology. She was a loving wife, mother and a great co-worker and friend. She will be remembered for her work ethics. She was a wholesome soul always striving to do better and caring for her friends and family. Nikki was a devout worship leader and had a special gift for singing.

Teodora Perez Rivera, 87 years of age, affectionately known to her family as “Chita”, peacefully passed away on Monday, May 23, 2022, at Retama Manor Nursing Home, Alice, Texas, where…

Maria Isabel “Chavela” Barton, 92 years of age, passed away on May 18, 2022, at her residence. Maria Isabel Canales Barton was born on September 27, 1929, in Benavides, Texas…

Corpus Christi – Estela A. Constante – 61 years of age entered enteral rest on Monday May 23, 2022, in Alice, Texas. Estela was a native of Orange Grove residing…

Funeral Mass for retired Command Sergeant Major Luis Cantu, aged 90, will be Wednesday, June 15th at 9:00 am at Saint Bernard Catholic Church in Bella Vista, Arkansas with Father Barnabas Maria Susai officiating. Rosary service will begin at 8:30 am prior to the funeral Mass.

Emerico R. Perez Sr., 90 years old of age, went to be with the Lord and rejoined with his wife on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at his daughters residence with his loving family at his bedside. He was born in Paras, Nuevo Leon, Mexico on April 5, 1932 to his parents, Roque and Maria (Ruiz) Perez. At the age of 21 he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served his country during the Korean War, he then came back to work in El Paso, Texas at the military base. Emerico then worked in Corpus Christi for Army Corp Engineers for a while until he moved to Benavides where he worked for Pearl Drilling and Price Drilling where he worked as a supervisor until his retirement after 38 years of employment. Emerico was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and enjoyed dancing, hunting, fishing, barbecuing and especially spending time with his family and friends. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather who will be sadly missed by all

Arturo Alaniz Sr. 50, years of age entered eternal rest on June 7, 2022, at his residence. Arturo a native of San Diego residing in Alice for many years. He was born on June 26, 1971, in San Diego Texas to Armando and Lina Hughes Alaniz. Arturo enjoyed family gatherings and barbecuing, he also enjoyed Sunday football, always watching his favorite team the Dallas Cowboys. Arturo had a passion for outdoors and loved hunting. He could also be found playing pool.

Elda Perez Chapa, 83 years of age, was called by the Lord on Friday, June 10, 2022 in an Alice hospital after a sudden illness. She was born in Concepcion, Texas on October 8, 1938 to Fidel C. and Cecilia E. Perez. She was a 1956 graduate of Benavides High School and a 1960 graduate of Texas A & I Kingsville where she received her bachelor’s degree. Elda was an educator/teacher for both San Diego ISD and Benavides ISD and retired after 38 years of employment. She was an active member of Santa Rosa De Lima Catholic Church and attended church daily. Elda was a loving mother who dedicated her life to her only son, David Michael and always very involved in his school athletic activities. She enjoyed gardening and spending time with her family and friends. She will be sadly missed by all her family and friends.