In Loving Memory Of March 7, 1927 ~ Oct. 5, 2022
Isidra R. "Chila" Marquez, 95, of Littlefield passed away Wednesday, October 5, 2022 in Littlefield. She was born March 7, 1927 in San Marcos, Texas to Amado Rios and Rosa (Rodela) Rios.
Isidra married Leonardo Marquez, Sr. November 23, 1959. She was a hardworking woman who never set idle. She wore many hats in her life, she was a homemaker for years until her husband became ill, then she went to work at American Cotton Growers in 1979 until 1989. She also worked at AFD from 1996-2009 as a custodian, and in addition to working a full time job, Chila also managed to make countless batches of tamales to sell all over town. She was well known for her wonderful tamales and tortillas, and she also served as a midwife, delivering some of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. "Grandma Chila" as she was known to almost everyone, also catered many weddings and choreographed wedding marches. She was a great healer, using many old school methods to cure a tummy ache, a cold and other ailments for her large family. She cut hair for a lot of her grandchildren and nieces and nephews and was a great seamstress, making most of her children's clothes as they were growing up. She didn't have an idle bone in her body, she was always working doing something, and after she was widowed she began to travel alone to visit her children and their families. Chila was always ready for a roadtrip, had her best clothes packed in her suitcase ready to go. She was a kid at heart, loved carnivals and amusement parks, and a very brave woman who rode the Texas Giant rollercoaster when she was 75 years old. She was classy, always dressed to the 9s in her best dresses, her high heels and her bright red lipstick. She loved dancing and watching her 'Novellas' on TV and everyone knew not to bother her when her stories were on. She loved her family most of all, and was the true definition of a family Matriarch. She was witty and funny with a dry sense of humor that she held on to until her last days. She was a devout Catholic, attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where she served as Cursillista.
She is survived by a son, Leonard Marquez of Littlefield; nine daughters, Janie Aguilar and husband, Manuel of Littlefield, Rosa Linda Hendrick of Alvarado, Texas, Nancy Sanchez and husband, Manuel of Littlefield, Lupe Zambrano and husband, Ted of Littlefield, Connie Castillo and husband, Johnny of Littlefield, Carmen Rodriguez and husband, John of Petersburg, Mary Helen Rodriguez and husband, Val of Wolfforth, Mary Ann Arellano and husband, Charlie of Amarillo and Rosa Duenes and husband, Jerry of Shallowater; fourty-one grandchildren; seventy-seven great grandchildren; thirty-nine great-great grandchildren; a sister, Amada Beltran of Waco; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her husband on December 1, 1994; her parents; a daughter, Irene Bosquez; granddaughter, Melissa Garcia; great grandson, Caden Zambrano; son-in-law, Darrell Hendricks; daughter-in-law, Dora Marquez; one brother; and nine sisters.
Funeral mass was held Saturday afternoon, October 8, 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Littlefield with Father Angelo Consemino officiating. Interment followed in Littlefield Memorial Park. Serving as pallbearers were Amy Durnam, Melinda Garza, Ana Martinez, Nikki Garcia, Cynthia Hernandez, Lisa Sansom, Emily Rodriguez, Janie Sanchez and Teddi Brooke Zambrano. Rosary was recited Friday evening at the funeral home. Arrangements were under the personal care of Hillcrest Funeral Home in Littlefield.