Dora Gonzales, 89, a longtime resident of Hereford, Texas, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Monday, May 11, 2026, in Amarillo, Texas. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 11:00 AM at San Jose Catholic Church with Celebrant Vimal Raj Samineedi Amal officiating. Burial to follow at St. Anthony's Cemetery. Arrangements and services have been entrusted to Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home in Hereford, Texas. On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, there is a viewing at 4pm and rosary at 6pm at the funeral home.

Dora was born on May 13,1936, in Goliad, Texas, to Eudelia Reyna. During her teenage years, her family moved to Beeville and Kennedy, and outside of Hereford, Texas, where she spent her youth working in the fields alongside her siblings to help her mother financially.

She eventually moved to Hereford, where she met the love of her life, Arturo Jose Gonzales Sr., and together they raised 8 children and remained deeply rooted in their Catholic faith. Dora's heart were her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and her love extended far beyond her own; she was a second mother to many nieces and nephews, grandchildren and even great grandchildren. Dora was known for her signature red hair and her classy style of clothing. You can see the red hair passed on to many grandchildren and great grandchildren. After her husband's passing, Roy and Robin helped move her back to Catalpa and renovated her home to make her a comfortable place to live. Dora enjoyed traveling and became a frequent flyer spending many holidays and summer breaks in Phoenix, Arizona, with her daughter Anna and the grandchildren and great grandchildren. She then moved in with Rosemary and lived with her in Amarillo, and she then moved into the Assistant living apartments for a short period of time. She lived the remainder of her time with Glenda and Jeff, who were her care givers, who adored and spoiled her endlessly, until her last days of her life.

She worked an eight-hour shift, yet tirelessly supporting her children during her sons' high school athletics. She volunteered at the concession stand to raise money serving her own homemade baked goods and homemade ice cream. She drove her children to and from school every day. Through it all, she never once complained about providing for them.

Dora appreciated the simple pleasures of life; she held a deep affection for dancing with Arturo, which is how they first met: She had many hobbies like sewing, gardening and shopping with her mother, sisters, and daughters. She loved going on vacation with family together they traveled to Six Flags, San Antonio, Texas, Phoenix Arizona, The Grand Canyon, parts of Colorado and parts of New Mexico, Carlsbad, New Mexico to visit extended family. She loved cooking large, delicious meals or gifting her children and grandchildren with her homemade ceramics. Yet, her heart's true work was spiritual. Her proudest achievement was attending church alongside her husband and children, knowing that teaching them to be faithful servants of God was the most meaningful legacy she could leave.

Dora spent 13 years of her career at Hereford Day Care.  She cared for over 70 babies while working there, and she also worked at King's Manor for 6 years. After retiring she and her sister, Cora, volunteered their time at the Jail Ministry and Kings Manor. They both found joy in serving the Lord visiting residents and inmates, sharing home-cooked meals and freshly baked goods. While volunteering for Jail Ministry and King's Manor. She brought her son into her home and cared for him until the end of his life. She continued caring for her sister Cora and her husband, both of whom passed away within a year, loving and nurturing them deeply, while raising 3 grandchildren. Her resilience never wavered.

We are forever changed by the faith of our mother, Dora, instilled in our family. Though we deeply feel the void where she once stood, we gather to celebrate a life well-lived for the kingdom of God. Our hearts are heavy with goodbye, but they are also full of praise, knowing she is now face-to-face with our heavenly King.

Those left to cherish her memories are her children, Roy Gonzales and his wife Robin of Dimmitt, Texas, Rosemary Gonzales of Amarillo, Texas, Anna Torres of Phoenix, Arizona, John Gonzales of Amarillo, Texas, Glenda and Jeff Mudgett of Amarillo, Texas; her siblings, (Cone) Joe Martinez and his wife Josie of Hereford, Texas, Susie Adame of Kennedy, Texas and her brother-in-law Cruz's husband, Jose Rodriguez of Kennedy, Texas, and 102 nieces and nephews 37 grandchildren, 76 great grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren.

Those waiting to greet her include; her parents, Eudelia Reyna and Jesus Reyna, her husband, Arturo Gonzales Sr., her sons, Arthur Gonzales, Jr., Ricky Gonzales, Max Gonzales, her sons-in-law Harvey Torres & Gilbert Herrera, her grandchildren, Roman Rodriguez and Patricia (Patty Cakes) Gonzales; her siblings, Elda Olivarez, Alfredo Reyna, Cruz Adame, as well as two sets of sibling twins who passed away at birth.

Memorials can be made to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, 600 SW 11th Avenue, Amarillo, TX 79101

You can go online and sign the guestbook at www.mendezandmullins.com