Elma Quintela Mendez, 87, of Nederland passed away on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at her home.
She was born on March 30, 1935 in Port Arthur, Texas to Frank Quintela and Fidelia Garza Quintela. Elma was a lifelong resident of the area. She earned her Associates Degree from Lamar University. Elma was a paralegal with Tom Featherston, Attorney at Law for many years. She was a devout catholic being a member of Little Flower of Jesus, Our Lady of Guadalupe before joining St. Charles of Borromeo Catholic Church. She was a member of the choir at St. Charles.
Elma was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Fidelia Quintela; her brothers, Zenon, Uvaldo and Frank Quintela, Jr. and grandson, Tim Mack.
She is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Gustavo Mendez, Jr. of Nederland; her daughters, Liz Mendez Kroesch and husband Dan of Nederland, Mary Frances Howe of Beaumont; her sons, Eric Mendez and wife Valencia of Beaumont, Greg Mendez and wife Cheryl of Katy; her grandchildren, Cody Mendez (Margarita), Austin Mendez (Ayana), Brock Howe, Laurel Kroesch, Albert Williams, Sherlyse Ilovhogie (Onome) and Amy Williams. She is also survived by two great grandchildren, Mia and Vida Mendez as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A special thank you to Elma's caregivers Irene Berg, Tina Wycoff and Annette Spencer for the great compassionate care they provided to Elma as well as the staff of Trinity Hospice for their support during these past few months.
Visitation will be on Monday, May 9, 2022 from 5:00 PM till 8:00 PM with a Rosary to be prayed at 6:30 PM at Clayton Thompson Funeral Home in Groves. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at St. Charles of Borromeo Catholic Church in Nederland with Father John Hughes serving as celebrant. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Clayton Thompson.