Melecia Mejia Rodriguez

Melecia was born February 12, 1930, in Apozol, Zacatecas, Mexico, to Felix Mejia and Cleofas Vicencio.  She was the youngest of nine, 3 brothers and 5 sisters – all predeceased.

As a young child/teen, she was an active member at Nuestro Senor de la Ascension, Parroquia de Apozol, Zacatecas where she joined Las Hijas de Maria (Daughters of Mary), and planned on becoming a nun.  After her father died, she helped support her family by selling snow cones and refrescos (drinks) as a street vendor.

Mele met her future husband, William Rodriguez, when he vacationed one year in her hometown with a mutual friend.  After corresponding by letters for a year, he made his next trip with bridal attire and rings and made his proposal.  They married April 1, 1957 in a small, private, pre-dawn Church ceremony. 

Mele lived in Chicago, Illinois from then until the birth of her 6^th child in 1965, and then they moved to Calvert, Texas where their youngest was born.  She was a homemaker and raised all of her children in the Catholic faith, of which she was extremely devout all of her life.

She was a member of St. Mary’s in Hearne and the little chapel in Calvert for many years where she led the congregation in song, accompanied by her daughters.

After becoming a widow, she travelled around the U.S. visiting her daughters in Michigan, North Carolina, California and Chicago.  In 2001, right after 9/11, previous arrangements had been made to visit Medjugorje.  Trusting in God Almighty, she and two of her children flew to Bosnia, where she spent 7 days in Medjugorje and 4 days in Rome.  While in Rome they attended Mass at the Basilica – officiated by Pope John Paul II whom she deeply admired!  She had a great, life-long devotion to our blessed mother, Mary.

Her grandchildren were her joy.  God truly blessed us all with a gentle, loving, virtuous, pious mother and friend.

She is survived by 7 children, 2 daughter-in-laws, 5 son-in-laws, 22 grandchildren (1 deceased), and 8 great grandchildren.

On behalf of the family, we thank you all for coming.