Rafaela M. Rivas

TOGETHER AGAIN FOREVER Rafaela M. Rivas entered into eternal rest surrounded by all her loving children on October 17, 2005 at the age of 70. She was born on October 24, 1934 in Martindale, Texas to Jesus and Maria Mercado. Her greatest joy was her family and she devoted her life to her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her warm smile and loving heart will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jose V. Rivas; sister, Gloria Mercado and brother, Jose Mercado. She is survived by her daughters and son-in-law, Rose Mary Herrera (Robert) and Lilly M. Rivas; sons and daughters-in-law, Joe Rivas, Jr. (Janie), Ernest Rivas (Diana), Daniel Rivas (Lorraine) and David Rivas (Della); sisters, Dora Espinosa, Reyes Alvarado, Lupe Hernandez, Minerva Ramos and Rosa Pena; and brothers, Jesus Mercado, Gilberto Mercado and Juan Mercado; 22 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. A rosary was recited on Thursday, October 20, 2005 at 7 p.m. at Trevino Funeral Home, 226 Cupples Road. A procession will depart from the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, October 21, 2005 for a 10 a.m. mass at St. Jude's Catholic Church. Interment will follow in San Fernando Cemetery II. The Rivas family want to express special acknowledgement to her daughter-in-law, Della Rivas for all the love and care she gave our mom. We would also like to express our gratitude to the nursing staff at the Kidney Treatment Center-East and Dr. Bruce Brockway for their compassionate care. "God's Garden" God looked around His garden and He found an empty place. He then looked down upon this earth and saw your tired face. He put His arms around you and lifted you to rest: God's garden must be beautiful. He always takes the best. He knew that you were suffering. He knew you were in pain. He knew that you would never get well on earth again. He saw the road was rough and the hills were hard to climb. So, He closed your weary eyelids and whispered, "Peace be thine." It broke our hearts to lose you but You didn't go alone. For part of us went with you the day God called you home.