On Sunday, August 16, 2026, Francisca (Cruz) Reyes, 85, took her last breath here on Earth and entered her eternal home in Heaven. There is comfort in knowing that her beloved husband was waiting to welcome her home. What a beautiful reunion that must have been.

Francisca was born on July 24, 1941, in Kingsville, TX. She was the youngest of 14 children born to Carlos and Susana (Mendoza) Cruz.

In 1956, while picking cotton in Casa Grande, Arizona, she met the love of her life, Manuel Reyes, and it was there that their love story began. They married August 22, 1957, and were blessed with 12 children. They eventually settled in Bloomington, where their beloved “rancho” became the heart of the family. Together, they built a life rooted in faith and home full of love.

Francisca’s faith, devotion, and immense love was a true testament of the woman she was. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandma, sister and Tia, who lived her life in service to our Lord and those she loved. She was the glue that held her family together, inspiring many with her wisdom and strength. She created a home that was never empty and always a welcoming place for everyone.

Francisca was truly one of a kind. She had a crazy sense of humor, a fearless spirit but most of all, she was a strong woman. Strong in her faith, strong in discipline and strong in the way she loved and cared for her family. The women in her family carry so much of that strength and resilience within them.

She was greeted in Heaven by her parents, her sons, Ruben Reyes, Jesus “Jesse” Reyes, Rudolpho “Rudy” Longoria; her siblings, Carlos Cruz Jr., Romalda Cruz Mendoza, Mercer Cruz, Juanita Cruz, Felicita M. Garza, Martin Mendoza, Ampario C. Nunez, Domingo “Mingo” Cruz, Andrieta C. Ortegon, Elvira C. Charles, Elena C. Villarreal; grandsons, Jose Alberto Reyes, Matthew Reyes and Enrique Flores and granddaughter, Valerie Suzette Reyes.

Those left to cherish her memory her children, Manuel Reyes Jr. and wife Esmeralda, Susana Hernandez and husband Ruben, Rosemary Reyes and husband Juan Sanchez, Valentin Reyes and wife Monica, Guadalupe Reyes Puente and husband Victor, Jose Luis Reyes and wife Sally, Antonia R. Lopez and husband Heriberto, Carlos Reyes and wife Angela, and Frances R. Vasquez and husband Johnny. There are 47 grandchildren to carry on his life and legacy, and they will pass down all their special memories to her 129 great grandchildren; and 26 great- great grandchildren and 2 on the way. He is also survived by his siblings, Ramon Cruz of Abilene, TX, Guadalupe Cruz of Casa Granda, Arizona, Maria Cruz Rodriguez of Kingsville, TX; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a many of other family members.

Visitation will be Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Turcotte-Piper Funeral Home in Kingsville, from 5 PM to 9 PM. Funeral services will be Friday, August 21st at 11 a.m. at the funeral home chapel. Burial will immediately follow at Santa Gertrudis Cemetery in Kingsville.

In words of your granddaughters- Grandma, your strength, faith, and love will live on through each of us. We can only hope to be half the woman you were. Thank you for planting seeds of faith in our hearts and teaching us what it means to love fiercely and live faithfully. We will carry with us every day. Until we meet again, Grandma.