Alberta Muñoz

Alberta “Bertha” Muñoz, 96, entered into eternal rest on December 9, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on April 23, 1929, in San Francisco del Rincón, Guanajuato, Mexico, to Camila Zaragoza and Bacilio Barba. Bertha was a lifelong resident of Rio Hondo, Texas, a community she loved dearly and served faithfully throughout her life. Bertha married Fermin Muñoz, and together they shared 62 years of marriage, building a beautiful and generous life rooted in faith, family, and hard work. They were blessed with fifteen children, twelve of whom survived to adulthood. Bertha devoted her life to creating a loving, welcoming home for her growing family. She worked for many years as a custodian for Rio Hondo ISD, where she was known for her dedication, humility, and kindness, eventually retiring with the admiration of staff, faculty, and especially the children she cared for. She was deeply loved by generations of students who remember her warm smile and caring presence. Bertha was also a proud supporter of her hometown Rio Hondo Bobcats, cheering for them with unwavering spirit. Bertha’s faith was the foundation of her life. She was a devoted and longstanding member of St. Helen Catholic Church in Rio Hondo, where she served tirelessly in ministry. She was a member of The Guadalupanas Society and an Eucharistic Minister, bringing Holy Communion, comfort, and prayer to incarcerated people and terminally ill patients in the hospital. Her compassion, gentleness, and humility touched countless lives as she carried out her service with deep devotion. A woman of extraordinary generosity, Bertha faithfully hosted countless posadas and kermeses, ensuring that everyone who attended felt welcomed, nourished, and embraced with warmth. She was especially known for her warm, handmade tortillas, a cherished staple at every family gathering. She also crafted the most beautiful piñatas for her children’s and grandchildren’s birthdays—each one created with patience, creativity, and love. Her kitchen was a place of comfort, laughter, tradition, and boundless love. Bertha was a talented sculptor, working with ceramics to create pieces that reflected her creativity and dedication. She was also a gifted singer, her voice filling her home with joy and warmth. She adored her animals—especially her birds—and lovingly prepared home-cooked meals for her dogs. Her heart was generous, her hands always working to care for others, and her hospitality was unmatched. She filled her home with joy, humor, and the sound of her laughter. She cherished sharing stories of her parents and her early life in Mexico. Bertha was the matriarch of the Muñoz family, the keeper of its history, and the foundation upon which generations were built. Her legacy of faith, love, resilience, and service will continue for generations. Bertha is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Fermin Muñoz, and infant children Maria Concepción Muñoz, Marco Antonio Muñoz, and Ricardo Muñoz. Left to treasure her memory are her twelve surviving children: Evangelina Gillespie; Juan (Alicia) Muñoz; Fermin (Alma) Muñoz Jr.; Maria Elena (Jeff) Morgan; Martha (Enrique) Muñoz-Hernandez; Maria Luisa (Jerry) Atencio; Raul (Maribel) Muñoz; Bertha Patricia (Tomas) Rangel; Maria G. (Dwayne) Dent; Francisco Jesus Muñoz; Rosalinda (Joe) Alviar; and Ana I. (Trent) Anderson, along with twenty-eight grandchildren, forty great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren, as well as numerous extended family members and friends whose lives were touched by her kindness. Visitation will be held from 3 to 9 pm on Sunday, December 14, 2025, with the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7 pm. at Rudy Garza Funeral Home – Harlingen, 1702 E Harrison Ave, Harlingen, Texas 78550. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 pm on December 15, 2025, at St. Helen Catholic Church,228 Huisache Ave, Rio Hondo, Texas 78583, followed by interment at Mont Meta Memorial Park, 26170 TX-345, San Benito, Texas 78586. Pallbearers will be Bart Muñoz, Johnny Muñoz Jr., Carlos Muñoz, Marco Muñoz, Aaron Muñoz, Michael Lee Muñoz, Eric Muñoz, and Brian Morgan. We also extend special recognition to the honorary pallbearers, the beloved grandchildren from the Ahrens, Alviar, Anderson, Atencio, Dent, Hausmann, Morgan, Muñoz, Olivares, and Rangel families. Your love and presence will bring comfort as we gather to remember and celebrate a cherished life. Bertha’s love was a gift she gave freely and without hesitation. Her memory will forever live in the hearts of those who were blessed to know her.

Alberta Muñoz

April 23, 1929 - December 9, 2025

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