Rogelia Gonzales Balderas

Rogelia Gonzales Balderas was born at “El Rancho” in San Benito, Texas on May 14, 1930, to Francisco Gonzales and Amada Ramirez Gonzales.  She passed into the arms of the Lord on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at the ripe age of 91 in Dallas, Texas.

The early years of her life were spent working on her family’s farm and attending elementary school in Los Fresnos, Texas. True to her mischievous nature should she would often walk to the school bus stop and hide near the canal with her siblings. As the story goes, they wanted to miss the school bus to be home with their younger siblings. I am sure there is more to this story. She grew up in a large family with strong family values and always honored and trusted the Lord from a very young age. She always cherished and treasured her siblings no matter the circumstances. Her family was her life.

On April 26th, 1953 she wed Guadalupe Balderas Jr. in San Benito, Texas at the age of 23.  Shortly after their nuptials they moved to Dallas, Texas where they began their new life together and continued to live with their growing family until their passing.

An entrepreneur, Grandma began selling Mrs. B’s Ice Cream in the 1980’s. All the children in the neighborhood knew her as “Mrs. B” or “The Ice Cream Lady.” Interestingly enough, everyone always waited to buy ice cream from Mrs. B instead of the competitors due to her kind nature and her Ice Cream ledger. Grandma would always extend credit, document it in her “Ice Cream ledger”, and every payday the children or their parents would always pay her back and purchase more. Indirectly, she impacted the neighborhood children by teaching the value of honesty, trust, kindness, compassion, and to always pay your creditors.

Grandma adored gardening in her past time. At any given hour, Grandma was tending to her garden, primarily her roses. Grandma had the most beautiful rose garden, many of you were privileged to see her roses in full bloom. Grandma was always busy around the house, always finding tasks or projects to be done such as cutting the grass, watering her plants, painting her house, and what seemed like her favorite pulling weeds. Grandma was always a true problem solver of all things and found ways to teach others how to create and accomplish tasks. She maintained her beautiful cottage quite nicely.

Grandma was especially enthusiastic about her family and living life to the fullest. She was always up for a good laugh and fun times with everyone who would come to visit. She enjoyed cooking for everyone. If you took the time to visit grandma’s house there was always fresh coffee and food. Many of you remember her famous “BBQ Chicken.” It didn’t matter if you were hungry or not, rest assured you would be eating.

Grandma was a true lover of animals, nature, and the outdoors. Always busy, moving and grooving, Grandma continued her active and healthy lifestyle in her later years. She enjoyed working out and made the effort to stay fit and healthy.  She would often workout a couple of hours a day. She enjoyed reading her Bible, word searches, sewing, and singing her favorite hymns. She was a member a former member of Catedral El Calvario in Dallas, Texas. Her beautiful smile, boisterous personality and silly jokes will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

She is preceded in death by her husband Guadalupe Balderas Jr., her parents Francisco and Amada R. Gonzales, brothers Reymundo Gonzales and Ramiro Gonzales, and sisters Acelia (Jose+) Huerta, Paula (Trinidad+) Leal, Christina Gonzales, and Maria de Carmen Gonzales.

She leaves to cherish her memories to her three daughters, Rebecca B. Hinojosa and Aaron D. Hinojosa Sr. of Plano, Texas, Raquel B. Rodriguez and Sam Rodriguez of Dallas, Texas, Elida B. Mendez (Jose+) of Grand Prairie, Texas, one son Guadalupe Balderas III and his wife Monica Balderas of Cedar Hill, Texas. Ten grandchildren; Eric Rodriquez, Jennifer Rodriques, Jason and his wife Vanessa Rodriguez, Christy Hinojosa, Amanda Balderas and Pedro Hernandez, Aaron D. Hinojosa Jr, Mark Balderas, Diane Mendez, Sumer Balderas-Lopez and her husband Jacob Lopez, Matthew Balderas, and Savannah Balderas. Eight great-grandchildren; Makayla Balderas, Emily Hernandez, Brianna Balderas, Illiana Samantha Ontiveros, Emma Rodriquez, Mila Aydah Williams, Grayson Rodriguez, and Logan Rodriguez. Six siblings; Abel Gonzales (Sara+), Elias Gonzales (Esther+), Reynaldo and Rev. Dora Gonzales, Raul and Noelia Gonzales, Enedelia and Josue Cano. Two sisters-in-law, Emilia Gonzales and Elizabeth Gonzales, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Please join us for a service on Friday, May 20, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home followed by a service on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Templo El Salvador Assembly of God Church. Interment will follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park in San Benito, Texas.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Aaron Hinojosa, Aaron Hinojosa Jr., Eric Rodriguez, Guadalupe Balderas Jr., Jason Rodriguez, Josue Cano Jr., Mark Balderas, and Matthew Balderas.

Click the link below to view a livestream of the Celebration of Life Service.