Erlinda M. Tijerina

Mrs. Erlinda M. Tijerina, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, entered eternal rest on August 14, 2023, and is now reunited with her beloveds.

She was born on February 14, 1937, to Eduardo and Petra Munoz in Milam County, Texas. She grew up in Cameron, Texas, where she met and married the love of her life, Maximo Tijerina, Sr., with whom she had four children: Maximo Jr., Otto, Norma, and Irma Tijerina. She was predeceased by her husband of fifty-eight years, Maximo, her son, Maximo Jr., and her grandson, Benny Garza.

Erlinda and her siblings grew up near farmland, and she often recounted stories of picking cotton with her siblings while trying to avoid rattlesnakes! After moving to Bryan, Texas, she worked at BISD, in the dining halls at Texas A&M University, URentM, at P.J.’s Laundry, and then at The Texas Renaissance Festival until she retired to spend more time with her family.

She was the best mother her children could ask for, always putting her children’s needs before her own. She was extremely close to all her grandchildren and enjoyed having them in her home as much as possible. She devoted much of her time after she retired to care for them while their parents worked, and she was even able to care for a great-grandchild for a short time before he started daycare. She was happiest when her grandchildren and great-grandchildren visited.

Erlinda enjoyed many hobbies, including making tamales, bunuelos, quilting, sewing, gardening, dancing, listening to music, watching telenovelas, tennis, and boxing. Her favorite athletes to watch were Rafael Nadal, Venus and Serena Williams, and Canelo Alvarez. Also, she collected sewing machines and loved shopping for jewelry. She was always up for an adventure and could be counted on for just about anything. Family gatherings were important to her, especially birthday parties, and she was happiest during these times. She always said, “I’m happy because my children are here!”

Some of the things we loved about our mother the most and will always remember were her incredible sense of humor, humility, and unwavering faith in Jesus. When good things happened, she always credited Jesus, saying she had prayed about it.

She is best remembered for her beautiful, radiant smile, bubbly personality, and love of conversation.

Erlinda leaves behind to cherish her memory her children, Otto and Blanca Tijerina, Norma Tijerina and George Lopez, Irma Tijerina; her siblings Geneva Martinez, Edward Munoz, and Chavela Molina; her grandchildren, Max and Mary Tijerina III, Jarardo and Julie Garcia; Edward Tijerina, Ricky and Amber Garza, Sonya Tijerina, former daughter in law Frances Juarez and numerous great-grandchildren whom she adored so very much.