Rita Villarreal, 89, Bovina, TX, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on November 9, 2020. Born October 31, 1931 in La Blanca, TX, daughter of the late Eusebio and Dolores Rodriguez.

Rita always dedicated herself to her family and her faith in God. She was proud of having traveled to many parts of the country working "in the fields" picking cotton, harvesting hops, and many other jobs. She enjoyed working in the cafeteria of the Bovina Public School System.

In addition to serving others, Rita supported her husband, the late Zeferino Villarreal, in his ministry as a deacon at St. Ann's & St. Theresa's Catholic churches. She loved serving the Lord and as a Guadalupana (55 years) as well as other ministries during her lifetime. Every evening she had her prayer books and her rosary in hand. During her battle with cancer, her prayer was to glorify the Lord during every step of her journey. Rita was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church.

Rita had a great passion for her family and often hosted birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas events at her home. She was happiest when she was with family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband (Zeferino Villarreal), and her brother (Manuel Rodriguez). Rita is survived by 3 sisters: Inez Coronado of San Juan, Tx.; Gumecinda Betancourt (Jesse) of Merrill, Michigan; Julia Gamboa (Robert) of San Carlos, Tx.; and one brother Alfredo Rodriguez of Edinburg, Tx. She is also survived by her children Zeferino (Esther) of Clovis, NM; Norma Villarreal of Bovina, Tx; Dora Shipp (Joseph) of Amarillo, Tx; George (Nickie) of Bovina, Tx; Liza Navarro (Ramiro) of Bovina, Tx; Eddie (Dolly) of San Carlos, Tx; Ricardo (Elida) of Bovina, Tx; David (Linda) of Prattville, AL; Johnny (Ann) of Amarillo, Tx; Anna Winn (Tim) of Seminole, Tx; 23 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.

A rosary will be on Wednesday, 6:00 p.m., at Mendez & Mullins Funeral Home, Hereford, Tx. The Funeral Mass will be on Thursday, 10:00 a.m., November 12, at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Bovina Tx. Due to COVID restrictions, the family requests that friends join the family at the graveside in Bovina, Tx. immediately following the Mass. Please ensure to wear a mask if you wish to personally extend your condolences to the family.

Alternate expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to St. Jude's ( www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html )