Valeriana Rodriguez was born on January 29, 1925, to Paulino Martinez and Jacinta Vargas, on a farm along the Brazos River that was owned by M.W. Sims. She lived her whole life within 5 miles of her birth place and grew up on the farm spending most of her time tending to the gardens, the orchard of fruit trees, and the pecan trees. She enjoyed eating watercress, quelite, wild onions, eggs, milk, cheese, and lots of fish. Although she was a hard worker and was busy with her duties on the farm, there was still time to play outside with her younger sister Cleta, as well as her brother Simon, and cousin Virginia. Her father worked the cattle, pigs, and even managed to home-school Valeriana, while her mother tended to the chickens. Her father taught her to have Faith in God and to follow the Catholic Sacraments.
Valeriana was the owner of the Midway Grocery at the Steele Store Community for 52 years. This was an unexpected honor that she was very proud of doing in spite of her only having 2 years of school. Valeriana loved gardening throughout her life. Her porch as well as her yard would always have blooms of flowers on it. She enjoyed decorating her house and keeping it tidy, and loved dressing up and accessorizing with jewelry.
Valeriana is proceeded in death by her mom and dad, her three siblings, Zacarias, Benancia, and Simon; her cousin Severo Arredondo; her husband Arcenio G. Rodriguez; her son Arcenio; and her step-children Viola E. Salazar, and Charlie Rodriguez.
She is survived by her children Albert, Ernestine R. Ramirez (Jose), and Herlinda Rodriguez (Rogelio Jasso); her sister Ana Cleta; her step-child Alma L. Duran( Manuel); her cousin Virginia Martinez Valdez, and 24 grandchildren and 55 great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held at Hillier Funeral Home of BRYAN on Monday, December 2, 2019 from 5-8 PM with a Rosary starting at 6 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Santa Teresa Catholic Church on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 11 AM, with a graveside to follow at the Bryan City Cemetery.