Tributes

Tomasa “Tommie” G. Banuelos, at 85 years of age, peacefully entered eternal rest with her family by her side, to be with our Lord and to reunite with the love of her life and husband of 52 years, Antonio E. Banuelos on Sunday November 26, 2023. Tommie was born on April 3, 1938, in Seguin, TX to Pablo and Leocadia Gonzales. She was the fifth of twelve children. She was always a very loving and hard-working woman tending to the younger siblings and cooking in the kitchen at a very young age. She was always devoted to the church and whole-heartedly embraced her faith in every aspect. It was there that she met her husband, and it was love at first sight and was married on April 29, 1968. She was dedicated to following him in his work adventures and traveled throughout Texas. She was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church where she was a member of the Spanish choir for over 40 years. She also served as a Eucharistic Minister, a Minister to the Homebound, Women’s Auxillary of the Knights of Columbus, and was involved in the ACTS committees for many years. She was a very loving and generous person, always willing to lend a helping hand and believed strongly in giving to those in need. She instilled that God and family were the most important things and to live a life that was just and honorable. She worked for NEISD at Dellview Elementary school for over 27 years where she retired. She worked with the Special Needs children and loved every minute of her job. She made so many impacts to the children’s lives that after many years they would return to thank her for her kind heart and caring so much for them and their education. She was always known to have a way with them even if it meant giving rewards or treats for a job well done. Tommie was a very elegant, quiet, and reserved woman. She was always known to be dressed to impress regardless of any occasion. Although she was quiet, she had an outrageous sense of humor. She was the life of the party, always ready to dance and sing, and tell the funniest jokes. Spending time with her family and siblings was the light of her world. She was a particular woman that loved to have order and a house clean so that visitors always felt at home. She was a fantastic cook and always ready to whip something when company came over. Tommie also had a gifted way of making everyone she encountered feel important, special, and like family. She had a passion for gardening and the gift of a green thumb, Tommie grew rose gardens and beautiful flowers to brighten her home. She was an avid sports fanatic that never missed a Dallas Cowboys game or San Antonio Spurs game. You could hear her cheering loudly and having a grand time doing so. She supported her daughter and grandchildren and never missed an athletic or school event. She made it a point to always show up when it mattered and always had someone’s back. She did everything for her daughter and grandchildren to ensure that they were ok and were never without and knew that she was proud of them every step of the way. The legacy of Tommie Banuelos will forever live on through the wonderful stories and beautiful memories she shared with all who had the opportunity to know her. Tommie was truly one of a kind and to be loved by her was to be truly blessed. She is survived by her only daughter Iris Yvonne Banuelos-Estevez, her grandsons Gabriel Elijah Estevez, and Thomas Ezekiel Estevez, sisters Maria Inez Sandoval, Connie Kypfer, Esperanza Balderas (Elias), Maria Powell (Gary), Delia O’Neal, Alicia Moore, Isabel “Chuli” Gonzales, and one brother Robert “Bobby” Gonzales (Nelda) and numerous nephews and nieces. She is rejoined in Heaven with her husband, parents, brother Pablo Gonzales Jr, and sisters Jovita Gonzales and Victoria Torres. All Services will be held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in San Antonio, TX on December 8, 2023. Rosary at 9:30 am, Mass 10 am with interment following at Mission Burial Park North.

Tributes

Tomasa "Tommie" G. Banuelos

April 3, 1938 - November 26, 2023