Anita Rios Hernandez

Anita Rios Hernandez was born to Joe J. Rios and Elida Espitia Rios on September 3, 1934 in San Antonio, Texas.  She passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on April 26, 2025 at the age of 90 years old. Anita was affectionately called “Mase” by her family. She and her brothers and sisters would often sing together when they were younger anywhere and anytime.

Anita attended the public schools in San Antonio and obtained her GED, she later went on to St. Phillip’s College and received her teacher certification. She loved children and chose to teach the special needs children where she poured not only book knowledge but love into them. She taught in the San Antonio Independent School District until retiring after 27 years.

Anita married Catarino T. Hernandez on May 6,1966.  It was love at first sight when Catarino first saw Anita when she was just 14 years old. They worked hard together and grew their family together, their love remained faithful until he passed away on August 25, 2011. Together they had one son, Ernesto T. Hernandez, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  Anita, always the teacher, taught her grandchildren to bake her favorite cookies, but everyone loved her pollo y arroz.

Anita enjoyed her road trips to the casinos and she could often be found coloring in her many coloring books.  When the WWE was on TV you would find her there enjoying the match and cheering for her favorite wrestlers.

“Mase” spent a life well lived working in her church, teaching and loving children, raising her son and helping with her grandchildren, loving her siblings and leaving a legacy of love, affectionately as the Matriarch of the family.

Her memory will  be cherished by her son, Ernesto T. Hernandez; grandchildren, Ernesto Jr., Sarah, Matthew, Nicole, Alyssa, Anthony, Ciera and Marissa Hernandez; great grandchild, Evelyn Hinojosa and her eight siblings ; along with a host of nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends. Survived in life are sisters; Sylvia Salazar, Elida Abundez and Dora Valadez; preceded in death are siblings Laurene Molina, Albert, Joe, Robert, and Frank Rios.