Lydia Velasquez

Lydia Velasquez was born on August 20, 1947, to William Velasquez and Alicia Meza Velasquez. She was raised in the Old Magnolia area of Houston, where she attended Franklin Elementary School and graduated from Milby High School in 1967.

Lydia worked for several companies as a secretary, though she was especially fond of her time at Gulf Oil. She later left Gulf Oil to start Golder Personnel Service. Following the oil bust of 1986, Lydia began a career in government service, working for the FBI, transferring to the INS, and ultimately retiring from U.S. Customs. During her tenure with Customs, she taught Spanish at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) in Georgia. She continued her adventure by teaching American children of the folks stationed in Seoul, S Korea for a year.

After completing her government service, Lydia pursued her passion for education and became a full-time teacher. She taught at multiple schools in the Houston area, but held a special place in her heart for Crespo Elementary, where she retired in 2016.

Lydia is survived by her sons, Ruben Salazar and his wife Amy Jennifer Salazar, and Robert Salazar. She also leaves behind several lifelong friends, including Alma Adam, Linda Fields, and Irene Zucker.

She is reunited in heaven with her son, Roland Vincent Barrera, and her mother, Alicia Meza, whom Lydia lovingly cared for at home after she suffered a paralyzing stroke.

Lydia will be forever missed and fondly remembered. In accordance with her wishes, her family held a private graveside service.