Tributes

Florence Diaz Almendarez was born on August 10, 1926, and went to be with the Lord on December 13, 2020. Florence was born outside of Houston, Tx in a rural country community. At the time her father was employed by the railroad. Florence’s early years were lived throughout the depression when there wasn’t much to eat. If they were lucky, they had rice and beans. Some nights it was a hot corn tortilla with a little sugar on it and maybe some hot tea on a cold winter night. Many nights she went to bed hungry with her tummy growling. Around the time Florence was school age the family unit which at the time included her Grandparents Castro, her Mom, Dad, and older brothers Al and Sam all moved to San Antonio. It was in those years during the depression that Florence had to walk to elementary school barefoot in the dead of winter. When she arrived, the teachers would let her wash and cover her feet with towels or rags to warm up. She didn’t have the easiest life growing up. At the age of 12, she quit school and started working by helping to care for the children of a family that was a little better off than hers. When Florence was 25 years old, she married Santos C. Almendarez. They had five children, Ted Joseph, Grace, Diana, Linda, and Melissa. When Florence was 50 years old, she earned her GED and also learned how to swim. She was employed by the Harlandale School District for 17 years where she worked as a teacher's aide. Before working for the school district, she volunteered for many years at Collier Elementary where all her children attended school. There she served as a room mother and was also a PTA member. Upon retirement, she and Ted went to the UK to visit her daughter and newly born and only granddaughter, Stephanie Marie. She also visited them in Germany and traveled through France, Switzerland, Austria, but her favorite place was Italy. There she got to spend time with her brother Al and his wife, Anna. She always said, never in a million years did she imagine she would get to see those places. She was an amazing Wife and Mother. She tended to Ted all his life. He was born with polio and later at the age of 13 was diagnosed with Epilepsy. She never had any regrets about her life. She lived it the best she could. She was a strong woman of faith. Her belief in God is what allowed her to make it through life. She was never bitter. Everyone was always welcomed in her home. She was the Mom who took her kids’ friends home from school if they didn’t have a ride. She fed them if they happened to be at the house during meals. There was always enough love and food to go around. According to her nephews in California they called the house on W. Gerald “the house of stability” because of her. To them she was so tall, strong, larger than life, and with the biggest heart. This will never be forgotten! Florence is preceded in death by her grandparents, Luis and Felicitas Castro, her parents, Jesus B. and Leonor Castro Diaz, her husband, Santos Charcas Almendarez, her son, Ted Joseph, infant daughter Linda, and numerous other loving family members. Florence is survived by her daughters Grace Luna (Jaime), Diana Thomas (Art), and Melissa Almendarez Velasquez, her grandchildren Arthur Andrew Thomas, Stephanie Marie Velasquez, Jaime Joseph Luna (Des), and great-grandson Jaime Joseph Luna Jr. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, family members, and friends. She will be dearly missed by all. Eternal rest grant unto Florence, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Tributes

Florence D. Almendarez

August 10, 1926 - December 13, 2020