Eriya Breanne Ruiz

Eriya Breanne Ruiz passed away on June 2, 2023, at the age of 15.
Eriya was a compassionate girl with beautiful hair, green eyes, dimples, and freckles. Eriya was born October 25, 2007, to James Joel Ruiz and Dolly Marie Dixon. Growing up with her siblings Jimmy and Madelyn, Eriya loved to play restaurant drive -thru when she was little. Barely able to talk, she would ask, "May I take your order, please?" in her baby voice. She also loved putt-putt golf and often pretended to work at a beauty shop. One day, Nana Edna was getting her nails and makeup done by Eriya. So, Eriya applied a bottle of fingernail polish per hand. The make-up she applied made her look like a clown, which was not a problem. Two hours later, when the plumber came to fix the busted water pipes, he kept giving Nana Edna odd looks. She had forgotten that she still had the make-up on! Eriya loved spending time with her Nanas, and at the age of five or six, would take them to all the shoe stores to try on heels.
As she grew into a young lady, Eriya was involved in many activities. A rock hound, she was a member of the Gulf Coast Gem and Mineral Society for eight years and had amassed an impressive collection of rocks and crystals. She was also an eight-year member of the Corpus Christi United Little Miss Kickball, receiving a kickball all-star award. She often mentored younger players and encouraged girls to do better. At Adkins Middle School, she was part of the track and tennis teams, and enjoyed running 5Ks. She received a crossing guard award, tennis awards, and track and cross-country awards. Like many of her generation, Eriya loved TikTok and dance, more TikTok and dance, and taking selfies. She liked the music of Olivia Rodrigo," Dreaming of You" by Selena, "Heaven" by Beyonce, and "Easy on Me" by Adele were her favorite songs. With her expensive taste and love of shopping and more shopping, she was in the market for a "new" car." Although Eriya was not focused on money, she did like beautiful things. She loved her James Avery bracelets and "love" ring, her simple necklace, and Kate Spade bags. She enjoyed shopping for dresses for school dances, and had the best taste! She was able to coordinate her clothes from an early age.
Eriya was learning to drive at the ranch and Bill Witt parking lot and was looking forward to taking driving classes this summer. Even though her Nana Rita said she would never tell, she remembers Eriya driving in her car with her. Nana asked her to stop at the two way, but Eriya did not hear her. They were head on into another car, but luckily the other driver stopped, and they were able to breathe a deep sigh of relief. As a student who had just finished middle school and was on her way to Veteran's High School, she wanted to be on the drill team, and was willing to practice, practice, practice! She enjoyed fishing with her parents and baking cookies with Nana Rita and Maddie. Eriya liked Chick-fil-a, Chinese food, and seafood boils, with strawberry cake for dessert. Pickles, strawberries, and smoothies were her go-to snacks, washed down with sweet tea or lemonade. She loved scary movies and rooted for the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Longhorns.
Eriya loved her family and had the kindest heart. She always told them how much she loved them, and often brought gifts for the family that she knew would touch their spirits. She was so proud of her brother (Bubba) being in the Navy and loved flying to Chicago for his Navy graduation from basic training. She loved how her sister Maddie was becoming a great mom. Aunt Eriya was proud of her niece Camilla! She took care of her dad in her own way. She was very proud of him and enjoyed spending time with him. Her mom Dolly showed her how to make necklaces, bracelets, door wreaths, and birdhouses. Family time was important to her, and she made wonderful memories during weekends at Rockport, beach trips on the weekends, fishing with her family, floating the lazy river, and going to Louisiana and staying at the Golden Nugget. She loved listening to her Nanas tell stories about her family. They will remember her saying "Nana, you are extra."- "No Eriya, I am extra for you!"
Eriya was humble and a natural leader. Faithful to the Lord, she was beautiful inside and out. She loved going to Church Unlimited with her friends, prayed, and read "A Young Woman After God's Own Heart." She always gave everyone a chance, supporting the underdog, and encouraging her peers to keep trying and to never give up. She was definitely not a quitter. With her "can do" attitude, she taught others to be positive and grateful as well. A good student who made As and Bs, Eriya was learning to be independent, but was willing to ask for help when it was needed. She was becoming aware of the autism spectrum, and was discovering that love and compassion conquer all. Her family will fondly remember her as "muchacha loca" or crazy girl.
Eriya leaves behind her dad James Ruiz (Lisa), her mom Dolly Dixon, her brother Jim Dixon, her sister Madelyn Dixon (Rick), her niece Camilla, her Nanas Edna and Rita, Uncle Joshua, Uncle Beno, and special cousins Abby and Andres. Her furry family members include pets Ozzy, Roro, Bone Daddy, Remy, Bestie Boy, and Gypsy Rose. She is reunited with her Grandpa Joel, Grandma Ella, Uncle Jake, and Grandma Diane. Her family would like to thank Adkins Middle School faculty, Gulf Coast Gem and Mineral Society, Corpus Christi United Little Miss Kickball League, Eriya's classmates, best friends, kickball teammates, coaches, and everyone who had a positive connection with Eriya.
To honor Eriya's life, a Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM on Monday, June 12, 2023, at Maxwell P. Dunne Funeral Service - Yorktown Blvd., where a Celebration of Life Service will start at 12:30 PM that same day, ending with an Interment at 2:30 PM at Seaside Memorial Park.
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