Hortensia Lara Chapa
Born on May 31, 1950
HORTENSIA LARA CHAPA
VICTORIA - Hortensia Lara Chapa, age 62, passed away Friday, January 4, 2013. She was born May 31, 1950 in Victoria, Texas to the late Lucio Lara Escojido and Ofelia Gamez Escojido.
After a very long battle with liver disease, and a surprising cancer diagnosis, our Mother chose with the support of her family and hospice to take her battle home. There her "battle" became a "journey". Her "journey" lasted almost four weeks with family and friends by her side; faith and prayer as her weapons; and her Lord God as her leader. She peacefully passed on to her new home in heaven free of pain and suffering. She left behind her loving daughters, best friend/sister, Juanita Guevara, and numerous family and friends. Her loving heart and contagious smile will be truly missed.
She is survived by her daughters, Patsy Chapa Diaz (and Mark Moncivais), Ann Marie Chapa Birmingham and husband Gary Sr., and Esther Chapa Flores and husband Richard Sr.; husband, and father of her children, Paul Chapa; sisters, Gloria Olguin, Olga Salazar, Isabel Lara, Juanita Guevara, Carmen Ramirez, and Lydia Flores; brothers, Johnny Lara, George Lara, Lucio Lara, Jesse Escojido, and Joe Mauro Escojido; grandchildren, Kimberly Diaz, Gideon Luke Diaz, Gary Mark Birmingham Jr., Kathleen Birmingham, Isiah Birmingham, Hortensia Rene Flores, Elida Raquel Flores, and Richard Flores Jr.; and seven great grandchildren; sisters in Christ, Cynthia (Indian) Orange and Rene Herring; and mother-in-law, Santos Rodriguez.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Mary A. Ortega and Rosario Poncio; and grandson, Angel Ray Birmingham.
Visitation will begin at 10:00 am Sunday, January 6, 2013 at Colonial Funeral Home Chapel. A Rosary will be held 7:00 pm Sunday. The Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 Monday, January 7, 2013 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church with the Rev. Gabriel Mensah officiating. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers will be George Lara, Lucio Lara, Roberto Guevara, Gary Birmingham Sr., Richard Flores (represented by Ray Ortega Sr.) and Joe Cruz. Honorary pallbearer is her God-son, Ronnie "Bobo" Ortega (deceased).
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of South Texas or Methodist Hospital, 7th Floor main building.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com
Arrangements with Colonial Funeral Home, Victoria, TX 361-578-3535.

