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Our beloved mother, Clara Gonzalez Cuellar joined her beloved husband of 66 years, Joe L. Cuellar, in heaven on October 11, 2023 at the age of 87. Clara was born to Concepcion and Julio Gonzalez, August 12, 1936 in Laredo, Texas. She attended Sidney Lanier High School where she met the love of her life, Joe Cuellar, whom she married in May of 1957. They went on to have 3 children, Norma, Debbi and Joe, Jr. and four grandchildren, Stephanie, Hanna, Joseph and Jordan. Family and friends were Clara’s passion and delight. She enjoyed hosting bunco parties and coffee gossip gatherings in her early married years and holiday/birthday gatherings at the family home in Pleasanton, Texas. She never met a stranger and anyone who came to her door would be invited in for coffee or tea. Up until the age of 85 she and Joe were preparing and hosting complete Thanksgiving and Christmas family meals. Clara was always active in her home and her community from her high school days as a Sparkler and Blue Jacket to the Alter Society in whatever Catholic church she might be a member. She helped manage the local Community Center and became a 4H Leader. She loved cooking and enjoyed the challenges in making her own bread, perfecting her fruitcake recipe and finding just the right spice mix for the homemade tamales. She loved roses and grew the most beautiful purple, orange, pink and red varieties. There was nothing more precious to our mother than her children and grandchildren. Her love language was food and she loved nothing more than keeping us all fed. If we didn’t eat we were probably sick so she would make something that would cure whatever might be ailing. Her love came from the kitchen and no one who ate at her table ever left hungry. Clara was preceded in death by her husband, Joe L. Cuellar, her sisters, Minerva and Rosemary and her brothers José Angel, Gilberto and Cruz. Clara is survived by her daughter Norma Cuellar-Hicks and her husband Travis Hicks, daughter Debbi Cuellar, son Joe L Cuellar, Jr and his wife Patti Cuellar and four grandchildren, Stephanie and her husband Simon Little, Hanna Cuellar, Joseph Cuellar and Jordan Cuellar. In addition, Clara is survived by her siblings, Maria Elena Medina (Juan), Juan Manuel Gonzalez, Eulalio Cantu, Jr., Carlos Cantu and Sylvia Cantu. Her loss leaves a hole that can never be filled, but in honor of her strength and resilience we will carry on. Memorial services will be held October 27, 2023 at 6:30pm at Brookehill Funeral Home, 711 SE Military Dr.

Tributes

Clara G. Cuellar

August 12, 1936 - October 11, 2023