Eliza Rodriguez

San Juan - Eliza Rodriguez, 80, was greeted by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, September 8, 2024, at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen.

Eliza was born in Springlake, Texas, on November 4, 1943 to Manuel and Rosa Ybarra. She was raised in Plainview, Texas where she met the love of her life, Humberto "Bob" Rodriguez. Bob and Eliza moved to Hereford, Texas and opened a meat market. During this time, Eliza supported by her husband found time to continue her education at West Texas State University graduating with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in 1976. Shortly thereafter, she started her teaching career at Tierra Blanca Elementary in Hereford, Texas. In 1979, they moved to San Juan, Texas where she began working for Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD at Sorensen Elementary. For the next 38 years, she took pride in molding the young minds of many children who are now community leaders. Most of her grandchildren had the honor of being taught by their loving grandmother. She enjoyed teaching with her fellow colleagues and friendships made throughout the years.

Soon after moving to San Juan, she and her family became members of the First Baptist Church of San Juan. Eliza served God whole-heartedly without fail, instilling in her children a love for God. In her final moments, her faith remained steadfast. Eliza was a volunteer Sunday School teacher, served on numerous committees, and was a dedicated church board member. As stated by church members, "she was the matriarch of San Juan Baptist Church and she will be missed."

During her most recent years, she enjoyed traveling with her siblings and spending time with grandchildren which she called the loves of her life. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Her influence will continue for generations as those remember her love.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Humberto " Bob " Rodriguez; a son, Mark Christopher "Chris" Rodriguez; a granddaughter, Adriana Melissa Rodriguez; her parents, Manuel and Rosa Ybarra; and a brother, Ismael Ybarra.

Eliza is survived by four sons, Roland Flores, Humberto "Bobby" (Betty Jean) Rodriguez, Jose "Tony" Rodriguez and girlfriend Audrey Archer, Sal (Cynthia) Rodriguez; 17 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; 11 siblings, Andrea Y. (Albert) Conejo, Ruben Ybarra, Samuel Ybarra, Esperanza Ybarra (+Arturo) Vaquera, Ernesto (Alicia) Ybarra, Elias Ybarra, David (Mary) Ybarra, Bicente (Delia) Ybarra, Anita Ybarra (Julian) Soto, Manuel (Sylvia) Ybarra II, Rudy Ybarra; and a sister in law, Charlotta Rodriguez.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., with a 6 p.m. prayer service Sunday, September 15, 2024, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, September 16, 2024, at First Baptist Church in San Juan. Interment will follow at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission.

Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.