Belen S. Ayala

1926 - 2021

Belen S. Ayala

Corpus Christi - Surrounded by her family, Belen S. Ayala, 94, of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas. On October 31, 1926, she was born to the late Amado and Manuela Saldivar, in Jiménez, Tamaulipas, México.

Belen married the love of her life, the late Ernesto Ayala, on February 20, 1945, in Ciudad Mante, Tamaulipas, México. In search of a better life, they emigrated from their homeland to this country. Through sacrifice and hard work, they achieved their "American Dream" in Corpus Christi, Texas, as co-owners of Ernie's Foods, Silver Center, West Point, and Twin Palms Grocery Stores until their retirement in 1980. As devoted fans of the Moody High School baseball team, they attended the games for twenty years until her husband's health prevented him from doing so.

In addition to being a long-time member of the Holy Family Catholic Church, Belen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and mother-in-law. Her husband, Ernesto Ayala, predeceased her, including sons, Ernesto Ayala, Jr., and Leopoldo E. Ayala; a grandson, Fernando Ayala; and her daughter Gloria who spent much time and energy as her caregiver. Belen is survived by her daughter, Norma Ayala-Maynard, of Corpus Christi, Texas; two sons Humberto Ayala (Debby) of San Antonio, Texas; and Juan Carlos, known as JC (Janie), of Corpus Christi, Texas. She is also survived by sixteen grandchildren, thirty-three great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2021, in Saint Joseph's Church at 10:00 AM, followed by a Rosary at 11:00 AM and a Mass at 11:30 AM. Entombment will follow at Seaside Memorial Park Mausoleum. Pallbearers will be Christian Adame, Jason Adame, Tony Adame, Jr., Humberto (Bert) Ayala, Juan Carlos Ayala, Jr., and Enrique (Henry) Martinez, Jr.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider donating to the Moody High School Baseball Booster Club at 1818 Trojan Dr, Corpus Christi, Texas 78416. A special thanks to Angela Gonzalez, her caregiver; Amber Zuniga, her nurse; and to the doctor and staff from Santa Rita Hospice in San Antonio, Texas.