Emma Gonzalez

Emma C. Gonzalez, 89 of Pearsall, originally of Encinal, entered rest on February 7, 2022. She was born in Encinal, Tx on July 22, 1932, to Lazaro Gonzalez and Aurora Castillo Gonzalez. Emma Gonzalez was the last of the Lazaro Gonzalez clan.  She leaves behind quite a numerous family of nephews and nieces, grandnephews/nieces and grand/grandnephews/nieces.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Lazaro and Aurora Gonzalez, siblings, Lazaro, aka “Chacho”, Eduardo, Francisco, Arturo, Andres, Raul, Rosaura aka “Chacha”, and Eduvijes aka Vigen.

Emma was a lifelong resident and servant of Encinal.  What a life, she picked cotton, sandia, melon, pepino, tomate, sevoya, and sweet potato at the church with Mgr Bartocsh.  All these jobs took her all over the U.S. with Apa Lazaro Gonzalez.  She even helped "Capar" the hogs we raised.  She even tossed hay bales a time or two.  She served the church Faithfully for decades and was known by everyone in and out of Encinal.   Emma served as the church sacristan for decades.  She kept the books at church, ironed the vestments for at least four priests, set up the Ostias, Chalis, aqua y vino for Sunday, wedding, burial, and Special Masses along w/ the info arrangements.  She kept the Alter Boys in check and did the housework for the rectory.  She would help out in the many adventures Mgsr Bartocsh had, he was more than a Jack of all trades and a Master of all.  Emma loved hunting w/ Mgsr Bartocsh and got quite a few deer.   For at least a decade she worked for the Cotulla Independent School District, and one of her tasks was driving a bus full of kindergartners and special needs children from Encinal to Cotulla and back.  In one of those trips, she was hit by an 18-wheeler, and Emma, being who she was, and knowing the big responsibility she had, was able to maneuver the bus to the best of her ability resulting in no fatalities.  Every child at Encinal Elementary loved her because of her rapport with them.  Emma and Chacha, the Dynamic Duo, shared total devotion care of Ama Aurora till her passing...no easy task if you'll remember Ama used to pinch to get our attention.  They loved dancing with her as she stood on their feet.  So many of you will remember Emma danced everywhere.  Talk about a free spirit, probably that's why she remained single all her life as there was no man that could've kept up with her tireless work ethic, commitment to Family and her unbounded love for all.  She and Chacha would give you anything you would Chuliar w/o a blink.  Her giving, Faith and ability to find good in everyone made her very well-known and liked.  She was tough but remained gentle with all deserving and even some non-deserving.

Emma leaves a HUGE void in the lives of one of the largest Gonzalez Families in South Texas.  We who knew her, loved her or were raised by her were Blessed to know the kindest of Sisters, Aunt, Christian, defender of all and friend we could ever know and if we had to walk a mile in her shoes...you can't even imagine.  You will be dearly missed, Tia.  We love you.”

A memorial service will be held at a later date.