Eva Villafuerte

Surrounded by her loving family, Eva Atkinson Villafuerte, 86, passed peacefully from this life on Sunday, March 22, 2021 at her home. She was born to the late Cecilio Atkinson and Dominga Arizmendiz Atkinson on February 18, 1935 in San Benito, Texas.

Eva loved working with children.  She was school nurse at Fred Booth Elementary School for many years and taught CCD at St. Benedict Catholic Church for more than 30 years. In her leisure time, she enjoyed playing the piano, fishing, gardening, and especially loved traveling with her family.

Her husband, Francisco Villafuerte, preceded her in death by exactly one year – March 22, 2020.  She was also preceded in death by her son, Enrique Villafuerte; her parents, Cecilio and Dominga A. Atkinson; and siblings, Maria Luisa Atkinson, Daniel Atkinson, Fernando Atkinson, Santos Atkinson, Hortensia Barrera, and Raquel Atkinson.

Left to treasure her memory and legacy are her children, Frank Villafuerte, Jr., David Villafuerte, Mary Lou (Shannon) George, Rene (Theresa) Villafuerte, and Elma (Joel) Wood; grandchildren, Shantel (Keith) George Barrera, Sandra (Danny) Karthman, Rene Villafuerte, Jr., Tiffany (Ben) Levy, David Michael Villafuerte, Kacey (Rey) Villafuerte, Ryan Villafuerte, and Brittany Wood; great grandchildren, Tristan Everett and Ava Madeline Deiorio, Gwendolyn Karthman, and Olivia Ann Marmolejo, Timothy Levy; and siblings, Lupita Agado, Pauline Valenzuela, and Consuelo Atkinson.

Eva’s family will receive friends and relatives on Thursday, March 25, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7 o’clock on Thursday evening. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, March 26, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Benedict Catholic Church.  Interment will follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Rene Villafuerte, Rene Villafuerte, Jr., David Michael Villafuerte, Keith Barrera, David Villafuerte, and Joel Wood.

Special thanks to Dr. Jason Peters, MD, Nurse Brian Smith, Caregiver Brenda Leal, Allied Health Services, and to Rev. Edouard Atangana, Rev. Jean Olivier Sambu, Rev. Joel Flores, Rev. Eusebio Martinez, Rev. Pat Seitz, and St. Benedict Catholic Church.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 W. Business 77, San Benito, Texas 78586

All guests should wear a facial covering and practice social distancing while visiting the funeral home.