Viola T. Gonzales

Viola T. Gonzales was called home to be with God on August 9, 2012 while under hospice care at the San Pedro Manor Nursing Home in San Antonio, Texas. Viola was 76 years old. She was born on January 26, 1936 to Antonio Gonzales and Juanita Talamantez Gonzales in San Antonio, Texas. She lived all her life in San Antonio where she married, then divorced in the late 1970's. Ms. Gonzales had two children, a son and a daughter, Andrew and Cynthia respectively. Viola attended Fox Tech High School and worked for many years at Winn's department store. During her time at Winn's she developed many close friendships with her co-workers, customers, and vendors. She also worked for a short time at Craft's Etc. where her knowledge of sewing and crafting was useful while assisting customers. She spent her last years of work at a Goodwill retail store on the city's south side of town. In her spare time Viola loved to sew and was an excellent seamstress, oftentimes making Halloween costumes for family members and friends. She also enjoyed making floral arrangements, holiday wreaths, and would create beautiful cards to send to her loved ones on special occasions. Viola was also member of the Harlandale High School Band Boosters between 1978-1981, the years her daughter attended Harlandale. She enjoyed assisting with fundraisers and was always available to help support the band whenever needed. She was a huge Elvis Presley fan and loved listening to his music and collecting his memorabilia. Sadly she never fulfilled her life-long dream of visiting Graceland. She also loved the music of George Strait and would listen to his music often. Viola was a determined and hard-working woman who never let any obstacles get in her way. She did everything she could to maintain a home after her divorce. She was proud and very happy the day that she finally paid off her home. Viola wanted to return home and live her last days there, but due to the condition of her health and other circumstances she was unable to do so. Viola loved her family very much and was very proud of her children and all her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother, Juanita and father, Antonio. She also was preceded in death by her brothers Emilio Gonzales and Antonio Gonzales. She is survived by her son Andrew and his wife, Karen of The Colony, Texas. She is also survived by her daughter, Cynthia Ann of San Antonio. Her surviving grandchildren are Dominic Gonzales and wife Virginia of The Colony, Texas, Andrew Lawrence Gonzales of Garland, Texas, James Edward DeLaCruz of Chicago, Illinois and Emily Trujillo of San Antonio, Texas. She has a surviving sister, Janie Hernandez and two surviving brothers, Rudy Gonzales and Candelario Gonzales. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews and a former son-in-law, Ernest Trujillo who she considered a son. Ms. Gonzales will be cremated and a memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 3pm at Meadowlawn Tribute Center.