Mary Elena Medina

Mary Elena (Rios) Medina, 68 of Navasota, passed away Sunday, August 14th at CHI St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan. Visitation with family and friends will be held from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Wednesday, August 17th at Nobles Funeral Chapel, followed by a rosary at 7:00 pm. A funeral Mass celebrating the Rite of Christian burial will be officiated by Rev. Giovanni Nguyen at 10:00 am, Thursday, August 18th at Christ Our Light Catholic Church. Rite of Committal will follow in Oakland Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Nobles Funeral Chapel.
Mary was born on October 11, 1953 in Navasota, Texas to Joe and Maria Guadalupe (Quintanilla) Rios, Sr. Even as a little girl, Mary dreamed of being a hairdresser. After high school she obtained her license in Cosmetology and spent her life in a career doing what she loved. On May 28, 1985, she married Aurelio Medina and together they settled in Navasota where they raised three daughters. Aurelio was the love of her life and her best friend. Mary was the epitome of the devoted wife and mother - her faith in God and her family were everything to her and loving and serving both were the center of her world. She was a very active and devout member of her church and when the girls were younger she taught CCE for several years. She eagerly volunteered where needed whether it was the annual Bazaar, fundraisers, meals or events, Mary could be counted on to jump in and lend a hand. Mary loved life, laughter and love. She never met a stranger. Often called the "peacemaker", Mary was a good listener, a strong shoulder and was brutally honest - although she wouldn't hesitate to put you in check if you were out of line. Mary was truly a Diva, she loved shopping, doing hair and makeup; and she took pride in looking her best at all times. Mary was as beautiful inside as she was outside. Inasmuch as she loved being surrounded by her family and friends, she cherished the quiet time she spent reading her Bible each day.

She loved trips to Mexico to visit extended family. It was one of these trips that created a soccer fan out of her. Mary had not been a huge sports fan throughout her life and she certainly had not known what she was missing... until a long car ride to Mexico. Aurelio had the radio station tuned to a Spanish soccer game. Mary noticed immediately that this was no boring American game, this was a fast moving, colorful sport let by entertaining sports commentators. And so began her love affair with Spanish soccer and the team Guadalajara Chivas. Before long, Mary could quote team and player stats and where they ranked during the season. She studied their plays, their wins and losses. She was a devoted lifetime Chivas fan!
Mary enjoyed working in her yard, creating beautiful flower gardens. Gardening and cooking gave her great pleasure. Perhaps more than anything, cooking an early Sunday breakfast for Aurelio and her grown daughters and their families before going to church together put much joy in her heart. It made for proud moments to gaze at the women, the wives and the mothers her girls had become and when she didn't think her world could be more blessed or complete, along came grandchildren and then great grandchildren!

Mary is survived by her husband of 37 years, Aurelio Medina; daughters and sons-in-law Cindy and Richard Martinez, Melissa and Brandon Adams annd Maribele and Jose Tristan; brother and sister-in-law Ricky and Tomasa Rios; sisters and brothers-in-law Dolores Montes, Carmen Contreras, Susie and Roland Lerma, Martha Morales and Monica and Jose Sotelo; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Maria Medina and Raul Diosdado; grandchildren Elizabeth Castillo (Jason), Ashley Castillo (Eric) Aaron Rodriguez (Sydney), Matthew Adams (Jhenae), Kamryn Adams, Christian Adams, Hayden Adams, Julie Tristan and Joey Tristan and great-grandchildren Adalynn Grace Berlanga and Jaden Berlanga.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe Rios, Jr., Tony Rios, Janice Herrera and Josephine Rios.

You are invited to leave kind words and fond memories at www.noblesfuneral.com .