Anita Gonzalez's Obituary
Anita M. Gonzalez, our beloved family matriarch, age 86, passed away on August 25, 2014. She was born in Abilene, Texas, on July 26, 1928, and at an early age accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior at Primera Iglesia Bautista, Abilene. She married David S. Gonzalez in 1950, and shortly thereafter, moved to Mercedes, Texas, where she started her family. She began her career as an elementary school teacher in 1963, and with the support of her husband, Anita earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Pan American University in 1970. For eight consecutive summers, the couple traveled to the Midwest with their four children to teach in migrant schools. In 1973, Anita moved with her family to Dallas to work in the Dallas Independent School District where she was a facilitator for Early Childhood Education. In 1977, she earned a master’s degree in Special Education from East Texas State University. She later taught at Sidney Lanier Elementary School until her retirement in 1999. Throughout her life, Anita worked fervently for the Lord. At Primera Iglesia Bautista, Mercedes, she served as pianist, children’s choir director, and director of the Woman’s Missionary Union at church as well as for the Lower Rio Grande Valley Association. She continued her work with WMU at Primera Iglesia Bautista, Dallas, where she also taught Sunday school and served as a trustee for over thirty years. After her retirement, she volunteered at The Write Way Prison Ministry and the Goslin Opportunity Center at Cliff Temple Baptist Church. Anita had a passion for travel and was fortunate to travel to six continents, forty-eight countries, and most of the United States. As a member of the North Texas Council for International Visitors, she hosted guests from around the world in her home. Being the consummate matriarch of her family brought her much joy. For fifteen years, she cooked and delivered food to each of her children’s home every Thursday; they especially relished her award-winning enchiladas. She loved being a grandmother and was known as “Guela”. Guela took the grandkids to the State Fair of Texas, the circus, Sea World, Disney World, the Alamo, and she once even took her granddaughters on a cruise to Alaska. Anita was preceded in death by her husband, David. She is survived by her daughter Sylvia and husband Ray Villareal; son, Dennis Gonzalez and wife, Carol; Scott Gonzalez and wife, Christine; son, Steve Gonzalez and wife, Socorro; grandchildren Mateo and Ana Villareal, Aaron and Stefan Gonzalez; David Gonzalez Soames and wife, Sally Johnston Soames; Analise Gonzalez; Steven and Scottie Gonzalez; and great-granddaughter Isabella Anais Sisk Gonzalez. She is also survived by a sister, Rebecca Martinez, and four brothers, Rev. Jose Martinez, Antonio Martinez, Ret. Lt. Col. Fernando Martinez, and Doroteo Martinez. Additionally, she will be missed by countless nieces and nephews. The Reverend Alfonso Flores will be the officiate at the funeral service on Thursday at Primera Iglesia Bautista, Dallas, at 11 AM. Prayer Service for Anita will be from 6:00-7:00 pm on Wednesday, August 27 2014 at The Memorial Chapel at Restland Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, August 28, 2014 at First Mexican Baptist Church, 10010 Betty Jane Lane, Dallas, TX 75229. Memorial contributions may be made to: Scholarship Fund, First Mexican Baptist Church, 10010 Betty Jane Ln. Dallas, TX, 75229, or to World Hunger, C/O Baptist General Convention of Texas, 333 N. Washington, Dallas, TX, 75246
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