Karina Nichole Ayala, 19, of Hereford, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, in Canyon, Texas.  Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, October 18, 2021, at 10:00 A.M. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Vega, Texas with Father Mieczyslaw Przepiora officiating. Burial to follow at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Vega. Arrangements and services have been entrusted to Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home of Hereford, Texas. A visitation will be held on Sunday October 17, 2021, from 3:00 – 8:00 P.M. at Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home in Hereford, Texas with rosary beginning at 6:00 P.M.

Karina was born on February 25, 2002, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina to Fermin Ayala and Kathy Renee Johnson. Karina grew up in Kannapolis, North Carolina until the age of 10 when she moved to Texas. It was in Vega, Texas that Karina truly became herself, she attended school in Vega and graduated from Vega High School. In school she was a member of the FCCLA club and attended many school competitions. After high school, Karina attended Amarillo College with her goals set on becoming a registered nurse and continuing in her education until receiving her bachelor's in nursing. While in college, she worked at Northwest Texas Hospital as a physical therapist assistant and then a CNA. Karina was committed to her work and studies. She sincerely cared for people. Karina enjoyed traveling, she traveled to Colorado, New Mexico, and most recently the Balloon Festival in Albuquerque with her fiancé Jesus and his family. She also enjoyed music, all types, but most recently you would catch her listening to Country music. Karina loved family gatherings and she was the one to plan everything and get everyone together. She was always pushing her siblings and fiancé Jesus to be the very best version of themselves. Karina was the most selfless person and truly someone special.

Those left to cherish her memories are her father Fermin Ayala and his wife Elizabeth Vasquez of Vega, Texas, fiancé Jesus Ornelas of Hereford, Texas; siblings, Amber Stewart and her husband Tristian of Pageland, South Carolina, Casey Ayala and his girlfriend Brittany Redmond of Charlotte, North Carolina, Jose Silerio of Vega, Texas, Miranda Duenaz of Pageland, South Carolina, Christopher Silerio of Vega, Texas, Jaydan Ayala of Mexico, and  Henry Ayala of Vega, Texas; mother in-law Marta Ornelas of Hereford, Texas; father in-law Jesus Antonio Cabrera of Hereford, Texas; brother in-laws Anthony Cabrera of Dallas, Texas and Yahir Cabrera of Hereford, Texas; sister in-law Leydanette Cabrera of Hereford, Texas; paternal grandparents, Arnulfo Ayala of Charlotte, South Carolina and Gaudencía Rodriguez Castañon of Mexico; maternal grandfather Lonnie Jackson of Pageland, South Carolina; nephew Braylon Crawford of Pageland, South Carolina, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; and her dogs Luna and Ottis.

Karina has joined her mom Kathy Renee Johnson and maternal grandmother Betty Jackson in heaven.

You may sign the online guestbook at www.mendezandmullins.com