Esperanza Rey

Esperanza Lujan Rey, 97, of Odessa, passed away Tuesday, November 29, 2022, in Odessa.  She was born July 11, 1925, in Colorado City, Texas to Catarino and Maria Ornelas Lujan. She married Juan Natividad Rey on April 15, 1953, in Stanton, Texas and they had four children. She was a devout Catholic and attended Our Lady of San Juan Church. She was a member of Las Guadalupanas and was a Cursillista.

Esperanza is preceded in death by her husband and amor de su vida, Juan N. Rey Sr, Son Mario Rey, parents Catarino and Maria "Chiquita" Lujan. Brothers: Manuel, Ricardo, and Roberto Lujan. Sisters: Josefina Carrasco, Enedina Juarez, Amparo Quintana, and Flora Lujan.

Esperanza is survived by her son Juan L. Rey Jr, and wife Martha, his daughter Tracey Blanco and husband Daniel, and their children Daniel III and Lani of Ft. Stockon. His daughter Gracie Matta and husband Mario, and their children Aubrey, Audrey, and Damien all of Odessa. Her daughter Julianna Garcia and husband Roy and their children Roy III, David, Dominic, Lorenzo and Julian.

Esperanza is survived by her son Arturo Rey and his wife Lupita, and their children Damaris and Michael. Esperanza is survived by her daughter Eva and husband Ramiro and their children Mike (his son Riley), Nick, Alexis and Angelica Ruiz all of Odessa.

Our Beloved "TITA" will be missed tremendously. She leaves us with memories of her singing hymns, praying her rosary, and her deep love for her family. We will always remember her quick wit, her joking manner, her silly sense of humor and the many pearls of wisdom she shared throughout her life. Up until her death she remained vocal, and her memory and recollection was truly impressive. She remembered names, places, and details that we all had long forgotten. Visits or phone conversations with her were filled with love and laughter because she brought out the best in everybody. She always had us laughing and on the verge of tears. She Loved her cafecito, pan dulce, her occasional "tragito", and she absolutely loved her Coca-Cola, Cheeto puffs and lollipops. She enjoyed her Ranchera music, Antonio Aguilar, Vicente Fernandez, La India Maria, and of course Cantinflas. Her face lit up when she recounted her youth, growing up in Mulato, and working on her family's land. Her favorite stories involved her courtship of el amor de su vida, Juan. She would tell us stories of bailes that Juan would coordinate so he could catch glimpses of her before she was whisked away by her protective brothers. They maintained a long-distance relationship until he returned for her in Mexico and brought her back to the United States. Their marriage took them to several places to work the fields. She would recount her memories living in Nebraska, Midland and eventually settling in Odessa. Her hard work taught her thriftiness. We would often give her a hard time about her savings account (a buried Folgers can) but she believed in being prepared for all the unexpected emergencies. As you attend her service, please be aware she chose everything herself. Three decades ago, she made her own preparations and as she put it, all she had to do was "show up". She loved being a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a caring grandmother. She was our Tita, our precious gem, our treasure. Her faith was beautiful. She started and ended her days with a rosary. She always kept her family in prayer, and she would persignar/bless us. Whenever she suffered a tragedy or life dealt her blows, she would put all her faith in Diosito. Always! She knew her true home was heaven, and she was ready. She knew her reward. As we grieve her loss, we will not say goodbye. Instead, we will end as many of our conversations ended. Love you, Duerma con los Angelitos.

Visitation is set for Monday December 5, 2022, from 1PM-9PM with a rosary at 7PM provided by Sorina Dominguez at Martinez Funeral Home Chapel.

Mass will be celebrated at 1PM Tuesday December 6, 2022, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church 2633 Conover Ave Odessa, TX 79763 with Father Angel Castro officiating.

Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens 6801 E I-20 BL Odessa, TX.

Pallbearers will be Gracie Matta, Mario Matta, Mike Ruiz, Nick Ruiz, Daniel Blanco III, and Michael Rey.