Lupe S. Quintanilla

Maria Guadalupe Silva “Chickie” Quintanilla entered her heavenly eternal life on Thursday, November 1, 2018, at the age of 101. She died peacefully in her sleep and gained her angel wings on All Saints Day. Almost two years ago, her granddaughters asked her one day, “Chickie, how would you like your obituary to begin?” She responded, “Let me tell you something . . . It took a long, long, long time….” Little did she know it would be another year and a half!

She was born on December 12, 1916, in the King Ranch Laureles Division, Texas to Encarnacion Silva, Sr. and Ines Flores Silva. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sebastian G. Quintanilla, her son Ernesto S. Quintanilla, and she was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Mrs. Quintanilla is survived by her daughter-in-law Raquel Rios Quintanilla of Corpus Christi, Texas; four granddaughters, Pearl Nereida Quintanilla of Corpus Christi, Texas, Priscilla Nadine Quintanilla of San Antonio, Texas, Patricia Ninette (Daniel) Portales of College Station, Texas and Raquel Janel (Richard Flores) Quintanilla of San Antonio, Texas; 2 great-grandchildren, Brandon Ernest (Joyci Celis) Quintanilla and Ramzi Marie Portales; and one great-great grandson, Brandon Orion Quintanilla; and numerous nieces, nephews, and god-children.

Although there were limited opportunities for education in her formative years, Chickie lived an accomplished life. Her career with the King Ranch began as a young woman, and during her tenure she worked with the ranch hands assisting with branding cattle, herding cattle, horseback riding, cooking delicious and hearty meals for the “Patrones” and their families. Along with her employment with the King Ranch, Chickie also worked at the flower shop in Kingsville, Texas for many years. One of her many crafts was crocheting, in addition she was a gifted and brilliant seamstress - a talent she cherished the most. For many years, part of her volunteer activities included teaching Sunday school as a Catechist and working the polls during elections. Chickie was an avid angler and hunter of wild game, an expert with a rifle and very much embraced ranch life. She relished traveling around the world and experiencing the cultures of the numerous countries she visited in her lifetime. As one of her proudest moments she was interviewed and recognized in the opening of the King Ranch Museum in Kingsville, Texas. Many authors considered her a vital resource in the history of the King Ranch.

A celebration of saint Chickie’s (at least a saint to us) life, will take place on Monday, November 5, 2018, at Seaside Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, November 6, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, her wishes were to donate to her most treasured charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.