Deborah S. Moreno

Deborah S. Moreno, age 64, passed away November 29, 2025. She was born on November 4, 1961, to Juan F. Saldana, Jr. and Sara M. Saldana in Kingsville, Texas. She was raised in Driscoll and Corpus Christi, Texas. She graduated from Mary Carroll High School in 1980. She married Arnold February 13, 1988, received an Associate in Arts from Del Mar College in 1990, and earned a Bachelor of Education from Texas A&M-Kingsville in 1994 (Aziel walked the stage in her womb).

Deborah was a board-certified teacher at Sinton, Calallen, Orange Grove, and Odem school districts. She also founded Leap-4-Learning Pre-K Academy in Calallen and directed it for six years. Always she worked with dedication and deep care, but for more than 23 years unceasingly she served her Lord and brothers and sisters by teaching the children of Calvary Church Robstown. At CCR gatherings and many outside occasions such as weddings and funerals, she spread the beautiful Gospel with powerful singing, endless smiling, and dulcet guitar chords while her skirt swayed to the rhythm of hymns and coritos. Deborah touched lives at school and church in ways that will outlive all of us because it was Christ who worked through her (John 15:5).

Far and wide beyond the classroom walls, whether learning or instructing, she bonded with people of all ages over guitar, piano, cello, ukulele, violin, cooking, baking, guitars, pianos, cellos, violins, swimming, and roller-skating. All of these she especially loved to share with her precious cubbies (grandchildren).

Some might say she was naïve, or even gullible, but she was loved dearly for her innocence and gentleness, which any of her loved ones would have fought to protect. Where her love rained was no light shower, thus many who got to know her were blessed by her filling the hurts in their heart or the lack in their finances, many times left by their own families. To these, Deborah was more than a friend, but a bonus Sister, Daughter, or Mother. Deborah preached through her love and caring. Her vision truly reflected her favorite song, What a Wonderful World.

Deborah is preceded in death by her father, Juan F. Saldana. Left to cherish her memory are her husband Arnold O. Moreno; her mother Sara Mechell Saldana; her sisters "Gypsy" S. Krug, Sharon (Aaron) Gonzalez, Yvonne (John) Villareal; and her brothers Johnny Saldana III, and Robert A. Saldana. God also blessed her with children biological and non: her daughter Alexia Tran, and her sons Aziel (Araceli) Moreno, and Adrian Munoz. Through these God gave her precious grandchildren Jacob Tran, Ray Tran, Azariah Moreno, Alistair Moreno, and Atticus Garcia.

Visitation will be held from 10:30 to 11:45 on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Calvary Church Robstown where the Celebration of Life will follow at 12:00 (2131 US-77, Robstown, TX 78380). A private entombment will follow on the Monday after at Seaside Memorial Park. For directions to the church, go to facebook.com/ccrobstown