Yolanda Lara Atkinson

Yolanda Lara Atkinson, age 74 from Skidmore, Texas went to be with Our Lord on Tuesday, September 30th, 2025.

Yolanda was born October 11, 1950 in Skidmore, Texas to Victor and Hermina Garcia Lara. She is preceded in death by her parents as well as her two brothers, Arturo and Joe Lara.

Yolanda was a proud purple and gold Bobcat Alumni. She graduated and pursued a career as a paraprofessional for Special Education for 9 years which ignited her love for teaching. By 1987, she graduated from Texas A&I University - Kingsville with a Bachelor's degree in Education. She taught for almost 20 years with Calallen ISD in Corpus Christi, Texas. During that time, Yolanda continued her education and graduated once again with her Master's degree in Guidance Counseling. She graduated with an impressive 4.0 GPA distinguishing her as a Summa cum laude graduate from Texas A&M University - Kingsville. Yolanda retired once as a teacher in Education and then resumed a position as Guidance Counselor with the Windham School District in the John B. Connally Unit in Karnes County. She then retired from her counseling position after six years.

But her finest achievements came with her children. Yolanda will be remembered as a devoted mother and loving grandmother, whose presence brought joy and laughter to her family. She was a woman of great responsibility, always ensuring that her loved ones were well cared for and supported. Her four children have brought her the most joy as a mother. As adult children they have given her numerous grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Yolanda enjoyed attending all school and sporting events for all her grandchildren as their number one fan.

Yolanda was a faithful and loving servant to the Lord. Her faith guided her throughout her life and ultimately through her year-long battle with Leukemia. She passes along her faith unto her children and grandchildren. She has always shared her love for the serenity prayer and her favorite scripture verse.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

She acknowledged that God had blessed her immensely and even in her struggles, He never left her side.

Yolanda was an avid dancer with her love of music. You could always find her on the dance floor, in the car, or out in public just swishing around to anything she heard with a beat. She had a warm personality and made many friends wherever she was including her favorite places, the Robstown Community Hall and at the dinner table on the many cruises she went on. She loved going on these cruises with her Partner, Robert Sugarek, and spending time with him throughout their 21 years together. He was a light in her life and cared for him deeply. Spending time with her partner and her family were her most treasured pastimes. Her most favorite of hers was when she would get with all her sisters, laughing and talking without a care in the world. She was devoted to her parents, her siblings, to her children and grandchildren, to her partner, and to all her nieces and nephews. She loved them all so much.

She was an incredibly creative and talented soul when it came to the arts. She is most known for painting in her spare time. But you could always catch her in another hobby, like crocheting or trying out new food recipes. She enjoyed gardening and her roses. She learned to sew and crochet at a young age and always shared memories of creating dresses for her and her sister. There wasn't ever a item of clothing in the store that she couldn't revamp or resize to her liking so shopping was always a good time for her. She was a fashionista and loved having the perfect accessories. She always went back to her country-western roots and boots were her favorite to wear.

Yolanda has left a loving legacy to all who knew her; leaving behind a lasting influence through her actions, her character, her wisdom, and her love. She loved big, she was ambitious, she was kind, and she will be dearly missed by all those who loved her.

Survivors include her children: Jacob (Bertha) Cavazos, JoAnna (Tony) Delgado, Corina Atkinson and Leopoldo G. Atkinson; 10 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; brothers and sisters: Raul (Anna) Lara from Kentucky, Hector Lara, Gloria (Luis) Castaneda, Frances (Henry) Tamez and Viola (Edward) Salinas.

Visitation will be held Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Resthaven Funeral Home Chapel, Sinton. The Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be the same evening, 7:00 PM at the funeral home. The celebration of the Funeral Mass will be Friday, October 3, 2025, 10:00 AM at the Sacred Heart Church, Sinton with Fr. Yul Ibay as celebrant. Burial will follow in Sinton Cemetery, Sinton.

Pallbearers will be Raul Lara, Jacob Cavazos, Leopoldo G. Atkinson, Tony Delgado, Joseph Lara and Nathan Castaneda. Honorary pallbearers will include Robert Sugarek, Hector Lara, Jacob and Gabriel Cavazos, Christopher and James Delgado, Phoenix Atkinson and Christopher Castaneda.

Guestbook available online at www.resthavenfunerals.com

Arrangements and care entrusted to Resthaven Funeral Home, Sinton.