Josefa Irene Ruiz

Josefa Irene Guerra Ruiz
September 16, 1942 – May 22, 2025
Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, and Aunt
Our beloved matriarch, Irene Ruiz, passed away peacefully in her sleep leaving behind a legacy of love and kindness. Known for her remarkable ability to make everyone feel special and cherished, she was the heart and soul of our family. Her warm spirit and nurturing nature drew us all together, creating a home filled with joy and laughter.
She loved spending her time watching the Cowboys play, sewing beautiful creations, and, most importantly, cooking meals that were masterpieces crafted with love. The memories we will cherish most revolve around the many meals she lovingly prepared, where her cooking brought us together, filling our hearts and homes with warmth and laughter. Her love and kindness will forever remain in our hearts, and we are grateful for the lessons she imparted and the warmth she shared with each of us.
Irene was born to Francisco and Josefa Guerra on the 16th of September in 1942 in Falls City, Texas; and she passed away on the evening of the 22nd of May in 2025 in Brownwood, Texas at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Jonathan and Charys Leal, surrounded by loving family after overcoming her battle with dementia.
She is survived by her children Reynaldo (Creselda) Leal Jr., Timothy Leal, Jonathan (Charys) Leal, and Crystal Tapia; her step-children Catarino (Laurie) Ruiz III, Anthony (Michele) Ruiz Sr., Jose Angel (Teresa) Ruiz, Luis Miguel (Adriana) Ruiz, Mary Lou (Hannibal) Carranza; her grand children Miriam (Anil) Jahoor, Daniel Leal II, Reynaldo (Jaime) Leal III, Luis Miguel Ruiz Jr., Gabriella (Rene) Ponce, Anthony Ruiz Jr., Victoria (Kevin) Kim, Gloria (William) Ruiz, Katheryn (Henry) Leal, Cailie (Juan) Leal, Lynette Leal, Michael Leal, Bianca Ruiz, Catalina Ruiz, Aedrie Tapia-Baldarrama, Lisa Ruiz, Audrey Leal, Anela Ruiz, Mia Ruiz, and Mateo Ruiz; her great grand children Juan, Jessica, Josiah, Railey, Jocelynn, Jodi, Rayanne, Alberto, Liliana, Rayell, Francisco, Rosalynn, Henry, Lorenzo, Desmond, Isabella, Rene, Liliana, Lincoln, Aniyah, Luciano, Anthony, Charlotte; and her siblings Angelita Palomino, Raynaldo Guerra, and Doris Guerra.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband Catarino Ruiz Jr.; her children Jerry Lee Leal and Daniel Leal; her great grandchild Jeffrey Kim; her parents Francisco Guerra and Josefa Guerra; and her siblings Silverio Guerra, Ambrosia Nunez, Frank Paul Guerra, and Mary Helen De La O.
Visitation will be held Monday, June 2nd from 5pm-9pm. A rosary will begin at 7pm. The funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 3rd at 10am followed. The visitation and funeral services will be held at Leonard Funeral Home – 707 W. Houston Street in Carrizo Springs, Texas. Internment will follow at St. Michael's Cemetery in Big Wells, Texas.
"and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away."
- Revelation 21:4
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