Carmen T. Delgado

1936 - 2022

Edinburg - "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Our dear mother, Carmen T. Delgado, 85, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 16, 2022. She died at home peacefully surrounded by her loving children, family, and friends.

Our mom was born on November 6, 1936 in Laredo, Texas to Geronimo and Josefa Trevino. She grew up and lived in Edinburg, Texas all her life.

At a very young age she and her sisters would sell sweet bread from Magnolia's Bakery around their neighborhood on the east side of Edinburg to help make ends meet for their family. After she got married, she went to work for Terry Faries and afterwards TG&Y, as a bookkeeper, until the companies closed their doors. She found her way to ECISD Central Office doing what she did best, which was bookkeeping! She pursued her studies and earned her GED from Pan American College. This allowed her to become a notary public. She also worked alongside her sister-in-law, Teodora, at Palm Valley Insurance Agency for several years. Another opportunity presented itself as a part-time bookkeeper working downtown McAllen at JC Penney. This was a temporary position as she desired to open her own business to serve the needs of her community. In 1988, mom opened her own office, Delgado's Public Service, in downtown Edinburg east of the courthouse. There she served many citizens of our community. Year after year her customers would come back so that mom could do their income taxes. She decided to move her business to her home. There our dad enclosed the carport into an office. Our mom had a niche for numbers, and she could do math problems in her head! She was always by our dad's side to help financially. Never working was not an option. Aside from the jobs she held during the day she was also an independent distributor for products such as Stanley and Tupperware.

However, her passion was selling Avon products! She was introduced to Avon by her sister, Queta Eureste. Mom was a sales representative for over 55 years! This was a family business as her daughters and son were subcontracted to sell Avon at their respective schools. Her sister Yolanda and sister-in-law Teodora also assisted in selling Avon. Even the granddaughters were commissioned to stamp the Avon books with our mom's information! Towards the end Avon sold its shares to a Chinese Company and changes were occurring. She stopped selling Avon at the age of 80 and retired completely.

One of mom's most treasured passions was her relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was introduced to the Seventh Day Adventist Church by a group of ladies who invited her to attend church. In 1980 mom came to know the Lord and accepted him as her Savior. She quickly got involved in the Church. She held various positions such as secretary, treasurer, Sabbath School Director for the youth, and attended numerous retreats throughout the years. We always knew that when Saturday rolled around mom would get prettied up with her bible in hand. She would spend all day Saturday doing God's work by visiting the church members that were sick and proclaiming God's word to the community. This relationship was like no other. Her devotion to doing God's work never tired. People would call her to pray for someone for whatever reason because our mom had the gift of prayer. Always giving all the Honor and Glory to the Lord! During her last days she was still convicted to do her bible lessons and reading every night alongside her piece of white bread and a glass of milk. Her favorite saying was, "El Señor me da la Fe, Fuerza y Fortaleza." She set the example to her children of what it means to be a daughter, sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother to our family and showed us that God's love was unconditional. These are the life lessons that will continue in us forever.

Our mom was the Queen of our household and the pillar of our family! Everywhere she went, she had this ambiance about her. It was her relationship with God that gave her this aura. She loved the Dallas Cowboys - when football season started there was 2 things for certain that took place at our house on Sunday, Bar-b-ques and putting on a Dallas Cowboys shirt. The pachanga would start! We would often say that you could hear the Delgados' screams on the east side of Edinburg. She also enjoyed watching basketball and baseball. Our mom would never stay behind. She would say, "me voy a dormir por un ratito, pero si van me despiertan para irme con ustedes, estoy listona!" She was always ready to go anywhere. In recent years she and my sisters and brother would go to maquinitas. And she loved spending her money! She would say, "It's my money, I can spend it, however I want to!" They would come home sometimes at 2:00 in the morning! Our mother was out that late!! And they all enjoyed the time spent with her. When our dad was alive, he would say, "Nunca te sentastes, Chiquita!"

As her final days were approaching our mom got to see everyone. Her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and numerous family and friends. She told us that she was happy and very grateful for everything we had done for her. That she was very blessed to have children like us who took care of her, always.

Our mother is missed dearly. Our hurt is fresh, and our emotions run deeply in our hearts. Our mother was a great woman and she surrounded herself with the love of her children and God. She had and knack for leaving a lasting impression on others as she did with us. It will always be our privilege and honor to have called her "MOM."

She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Arturo Delgado Sr. who died on September 7, 2004; her infant daughter, Dalinda Delgado; her grandson, Marty Luna on April 1, 2018; great-grandson, Francisco Delgado III; her parents, Geronimo and Josefa Trevino; seven brothers; three sisters; seven sisters-in-law; and four brothers-in-law. It is poignant to acknowledge that both mom and Marty passed away on the rise of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and await on his second coming. And that gives us hope for all of us.

Mother is survived by her 13 loving children, Dora (Martin) Luna, Dalinda (Omar) Anzaldua, Arturo Delgado, Jr., David A. Delgado, Frankie (Dalia) Delgado, Diana (Frank) Gonzalez, Dalia Delgado, Lulu Delgado, Jerry (Noelia) Delgado, Michael (Maritza) Delgado, Debbie (Martin) Drewry and Nora (Pablo) Silva; 17 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, one great great grandson; one sister, Yolanda (Ernesto) Mata; and three sisters-in-law, Teodora Trevino, Cris Trevino and Abeldia Monroy.

Our family would like to express their most sincere appreciation to the doctors who cared for our mom during her illness. Dr. Terence Posluszny who was her cardiologist for over 35 years. Mom was one of his first patients. Dr. Enrique Griego and his staff and Dr. Salil Mangi and his staff for always taking our phone calls and giving mom a quality of life. To the staff at McAllen Heart Hospital for always attending to mom's needs. To the numerous extended family and friends for always willing to lend a hand and never saying NO to helping our beloved mother. Your kind gesture will never be forgotten. Amen!

Mom and Dad are finally reunited!

Thank God for the home he has prepared for you.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. with a 6 p.m. prayer service Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 E. Canton in Edinburg. Funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 21, 2022, at Iglesia Adventista Del Septimo Dia - Hispana in Edinburg. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Edinburg.

Serving as pallbearers will be Arturo Delgado Jr., David A. Delgado, Jerry Delgado, Michael Delgado, Omar Anzaldua and Martin Drewry.

Honorary pallbearers will be Frankie Delgado, Dalia Delgado, Martin Luna and Ernesto Mata.

Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.