Obituary for Santiaga "Jimmie" Rios (Fernandez)
Graveside services for Santiaga Rios, 85, of Athens are scheduled for 1:00 P.M. Saturday, January 2, 2021 at the Athens Cemetery with Father Nolan Lowry officiating.
Santiaga “Jimmie” Rios passed peacefully from her earthly life into Almighty God’s hands on December 29, 2020 at UT Health Tyler due to illness. She was born on November 27, 1935 to Isaac and Ninfa De Leon Fernandez. Santiaga was a homemaker until all her children were enrolled in school. She was employed as a seamstress for Hollywood Vasserette and then Cheerleader Teammates from which she retired. Santiaga had a green thumb and enjoyed taking care of her plants, flowers, and anything that sprouted out of God’s green earth. She truly loved nature and nature loved her in return. All God’s creatures great and small brought a smile to her face. Her favorite past times were photography, cooking, sewing, crossword puzzles, eating out and being with family and friends. She especially enjoyed being with her children and grandchildren during holidays and special occasions. She was a devoted Catholic and an active member of St. Edward’s Catholic Church since 1962.
She is preceded in death by both her parents Isaac and Ninfa De Leon Fernandez; her husband Fermin Luna Rios Sr.; brothers, John Fernandez, Ramon Fernandez and sister and brother-in-law Rita and Antonio Vasquez; stepson Fermin Luna Rios Jr.; son-in-law Jimmy Dan Satterfield and grandson Vinnie Rodriguez.
Left behind to hold her memory dear to their hearts are her seven children, Sylvia Rodriguez of Tyler, Texas, Margaret Satterfield and husband Richard Bell of Chandler, Texas, Jane Bowen and Edward Martinez of Athens, Texas, Manuel Rodriguez of Athens, Texas, Rose Cortez and husband Joe of San Antonio, Texas, Diana Pritchard and husband John of Tyler, Texas, Nieves Rodriguez of Athens, Texas; sister Pauline Norton of Palestine, Texas; step sons, John Rios and wife Tammy, of Athens, Texas, Ramon Rios; nineteen grandchildren, twenty six great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and also many nieces and nephews.
Santiaga also leaves behind close friends she loved as family, Andrew and Frances Cerrillo and children, Margie Collins and children, A.G. and Rebecca Torrez and children, Margaret Bostick, Tammy McGee, Ricky and Pat Garza and children and David Garza.
Serving as pallbearers will be Tommy Bowen, Vincent Sanchez Jr., Ricky Marion, Alan Webster, Edward Martinez, Ricky Garza, Jorge Cerrillo. Honorary Pallbearers will be Andrew Cerrillo and Richard Bell.
A visitation will be held from 4-6:00 P.M., Friday, January 1, 2021 with a rosary starting at 6:00 P.M. at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.
The family of Santiaga Rios would like to especially thank Dr. Carney and staff, Dr. Tai and staff, Dr. Takata and staff, Dr. Cecolli and staff, ER physicians and staff at both UT Athens and UT Tyler Health for providing excellent care. The family also wishes to thank Park Highland Nursing Home, South Place Skilled Nursing and Rose Trail Nursing Home for giving their best during a time of an unforeseen pandemic. God Bless you All!
Santiaga “Jimmie” Rios passed peacefully from her earthly life into Almighty God’s hands on December 29, 2020 at UT Health Tyler due to illness. She was born on November 27, 1935 to Isaac and Ninfa De Leon Fernandez. Santiaga was a homemaker until all her children were enrolled in school. She was employed as a seamstress for Hollywood Vasserette and then Cheerleader Teammates from which she retired. Santiaga had a green thumb and enjoyed taking care of her plants, flowers, and anything that sprouted out of God’s green earth. She truly loved nature and nature loved her in return. All God’s creatures great and small brought a smile to her face. Her favorite past times were photography, cooking, sewing, crossword puzzles, eating out and being with family and friends. She especially enjoyed being with her children and grandchildren during holidays and special occasions. She was a devoted Catholic and an active member of St. Edward’s Catholic Church since 1962.
She is preceded in death by both her parents Isaac and Ninfa De Leon Fernandez; her husband Fermin Luna Rios Sr.; brothers, John Fernandez, Ramon Fernandez and sister and brother-in-law Rita and Antonio Vasquez; stepson Fermin Luna Rios Jr.; son-in-law Jimmy Dan Satterfield and grandson Vinnie Rodriguez.
Left behind to hold her memory dear to their hearts are her seven children, Sylvia Rodriguez of Tyler, Texas, Margaret Satterfield and husband Richard Bell of Chandler, Texas, Jane Bowen and Edward Martinez of Athens, Texas, Manuel Rodriguez of Athens, Texas, Rose Cortez and husband Joe of San Antonio, Texas, Diana Pritchard and husband John of Tyler, Texas, Nieves Rodriguez of Athens, Texas; sister Pauline Norton of Palestine, Texas; step sons, John Rios and wife Tammy, of Athens, Texas, Ramon Rios; nineteen grandchildren, twenty six great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and also many nieces and nephews.
Santiaga also leaves behind close friends she loved as family, Andrew and Frances Cerrillo and children, Margie Collins and children, A.G. and Rebecca Torrez and children, Margaret Bostick, Tammy McGee, Ricky and Pat Garza and children and David Garza.
Serving as pallbearers will be Tommy Bowen, Vincent Sanchez Jr., Ricky Marion, Alan Webster, Edward Martinez, Ricky Garza, Jorge Cerrillo. Honorary Pallbearers will be Andrew Cerrillo and Richard Bell.
A visitation will be held from 4-6:00 P.M., Friday, January 1, 2021 with a rosary starting at 6:00 P.M. at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.
The family of Santiaga Rios would like to especially thank Dr. Carney and staff, Dr. Tai and staff, Dr. Takata and staff, Dr. Cecolli and staff, ER physicians and staff at both UT Athens and UT Tyler Health for providing excellent care. The family also wishes to thank Park Highland Nursing Home, South Place Skilled Nursing and Rose Trail Nursing Home for giving their best during a time of an unforeseen pandemic. God Bless you All!