Dolores A Villapando

Dolores "DeeDee" Villalpando
Oct. 14, 1960 - March 16, 2024
Dolores "DeeDee" Angela Villalpando, of Brownwood, TX, entered her heavenly home on Saturday, March 16, after a long battle with cancer. She was 63 years old.
DeeDee's life revolved around faith, family, and service. Her joy came from her children, Roy Jr. and Carlina, and grandchildren, Jenica and Jameson. She loved bragging about their achievements. Her greatest desire was to know they were happy and following God.
DeeDee was the heart of her extended family. She hosted legendary holiday gatherings and impromptu get-togethers, all filled with her delicious cooking. A cherished family story tells how she eagerly learned to make tortillas and fideo from her father-in-law, Gonzalo, and she was proud to be one of the few who knew and could replicate her mother-in-law, Mary's Thanksgiving dressing recipe. DeeDee loved people and radiated kindness and joy. Her presence infused warmth into every gathering, and she had a gift for cultivating fellowship.
DeeDee also had a special hand in caring for and helping raise many of her nieces, nephews, and extended family. Her home was a haven to those in need, and it came full circle when two of those for whom she had cared for as children became her nurses in her final days. They both considered it an honor and privilege to repay her love and kindness.
DeeDee's love extended beyond her family. For well over 30 years, she nourished not only bodies but also souls as a dietary clerk, cook, and food service manager in nursing home and care facilities. She worked in and oversaw kitchens at Brownwood Regional Hospital, Oak Ridge Manor, The Chatfield Assisted Living, Care Inc., and other facilities in Brownwood and Abilene.
DeeDee saw it as a ministry to care for the elderly at the end of their life, and she loved them through the food she prepared. She loved throwing residents elaborate, themed parties and preparing meals and surprise treats that felt homemade and special. She relished providing "made-to-order" menu options, which she felt preserved residents' dignity, and the meals were always as beautiful as they were delicious.
DeeDee's ministry also extended to the many people she employed over the years. She saw her employees as her flock, and she was known to boldly share her faith in the places she worked. Her office walls were adorned with scripture and colorful messages of encouragement and reminders of God's love. She exemplified grace and excellence in her leadership, and she had a unique ability to balance firmness and accountability with love and compassion. Her work ethic was unmatched, and she saw this as a service to God and a reflection of His glory. Her leadership resulted in consistently excellent state inspections, which were a point of great pride for her and earned her a reputation as a top operator. She was frequently consulted by nursing homes across the state and traveled to help others with their operations.
DeeDee was also a pillar of her church - Milton Baptist Church - where she worshiped and served alongside her family for more than 40 years. There, too, she was a fixture in the kitchen and was always the go-to person to head up church potlucks and youth bake sales and coordinate meals for funerals and other occasions. But perhaps more than serving in the kitchen, she loved the children of her church. She led youth group, taught PreK Sunday school, fundraised to send children to church camp, and always looked forward to planning and volunteering for the church's annual Vacation Bible School. She befriended and paid special attention to the children of her church and always had a kind word or a gift for them.
DeeDee's faith was her anchor. Even during three separate cancer battles, she remained a beacon of hope and inspiration. Treatment rooms became her mission field, as she hung placards with Bible verses from IV poles and was constantly sharing the Lord with her doctors, nurses, and fellow patients she encountered during chemotherapy treatments. Despite immense pain in her final months, her courage never wavered, and her joy and anticipation for Heaven were palpable. She frequently told her loved ones she was ready to go home, see Jesus, and reunite with the many family, friends, and fellow church-goers who have gone before her.
There is no doubt DeeDee is already busily party-planning in Heaven.
DeeDee is preceded in death by her parents, Jessie Valadez and Loeta "Lola" Torrez; brother, Thomas "Charlie" Valadez; step-brother Arthur "Boy" Torrez; and in-laws, Gonzalo and Maria "Mary" Villalpando.
She is survived by her loving husband and faithful caregiver for 43 years, Rojelio Villalpando Sr.; children, Rojelio Villalpando Jr. (Larissa) and Carlina Villalpando Daugherty (Stephen); grandchildren, Jenica and Jameson Villalpando; sister and best friend, Marlyn Salazar (Cecil); step-father, Jessie Torrez; step-sisters Dorothy Torrez and Sandy Cardenas; brothers and sister through marriage, Gonzalo Jr., Ricky, Charlie, Bobby, and Gary Villalpando; sisters-in-law Lupy Johnson, Margaret Cook, and Debbie Dahnke; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Milton Baptist Church youth program, 1800 Good Shepherd Dr, Brownwood, TX 76801.
The family will hold a viewing from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at Davis Morris Funeral Home, 800 Center Ave, in Brownwood, and memorial service at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20, at Milton Baptist Church. Lunch will be provided following the service.