Clara de la Portilla Hernandez

Clara de la Portilla Hernandez, age 96, born in Stockdale, Texas on August 11, 1909, went into the loving arms of Our Savior on Friday January 20th, 2006 at her home in Corpus Christi surrounded by her family and all her pets. She is a direct descendent of Felipe Roque de la Portilla, 1st Spanish Empresario of Texas who was a forerunner to Stephen F. Austin.A resident of Houston and Corpus Christi she was loved by many, enjoyed life and never let the hard times knock her down! Very active with her family, she loved to garden, shop, travel, camp, the beach and taking rides on her grandson's motorcycles. She was preceded in death by her parents Petra and Arturo Berlin de la Portilla, her brothers Virginio 'Kino' de la Portilla & Encarnacion 'Chon' de la Portilla, her 2nd husband and true love of 68 years Juan G. Hernandez, her daughter Luisa 'Lulu' Teal, her son Rigoberto Lopez Mancha.Clara was a loving Mother and Grandmother and is survived by her children: Nena Sullivan, Frank Mancha (Frances), Johnny P. Hernandez, Hope H. Reeves (Louis), Ester H. Rubio (Henry), Mary H. Rodriquez (Albert), Emma H. Asslani, Paul G. Hernandez (Josie), Rigo Hernandez (Natalie) and her dear sister-in law whom she loved like a sister, Maria de la Portilla; Her Grandchildren: Jennifer Dudley (Buster), Alma Gonzalez (Andrew), Rosie Navarro (Joe), Paul Valdez (Carol), Yvonne Valdez, David O'Connell (Katy), Kristina P. Johnson (Skip), Rigo Hernandez (Natalie), Adrian Voliotis (Angelica), Melissa Rubio, Victoria Felix (Roger), Amanda Duty (Leon), Johnny Sullivan (Pam), Billy Sullivan, Debbie Mancha, Joe Mancha, JJ Mancha, Diane Duran, Anna Luisa Smith, Paula Cantu(Allen), Benjamin Hernandez, Paul Hernandez and numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. She is also survived by her pets, her dogs Gigi, Chipper and Punkin and her cats Kiki, Reto, Lily, Itsy Bitsy and Thomas. Clara was truly a rare Texas flower which bloomed brightly and brought happiness to all she encountered. Her angelic aura illuminated and penetrated the hearts of those she touched and she will be dearly missed but never forgotten. May the knowledge that she is all around us comfort us as we know she is now freed from the pain of her earthly body and is probably laughing and dancing with her husband Juan, her children and her pets in the most heavenly garden imaginable. The family wishes to express their gratitude to Christus Spohn Hospice caregivers for all their loving care and support.Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 24, 2006 at Holy Family Catholic Church. Entombment will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.