Santos H Rivera

Mrs. Santos H. Rivera, age 67 of Wharton passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2013 in Shiner following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on November 2, 1946 in Wharton, a daughter of the late Ramon L. Hernandez and Francisca Ramirez Hernandez. Mrs. Rivera had been a life-long resident of Wharton and was a member of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church. Santos attended Wharton schools. She married Tito Rivera in 1962 and he preceded her in death in 1987. To this marriage was born three children, Joseph Rivera, Rudolph Rivera and Baby Rivera who died as an infant. She later married D.C Rivera in 1991 and he preceded her in death in 2010. Santos enjoyed children, being a cafeteria manager at Wharton ISD for over 21 years. She loved to cook, dance and sing. Santos was a vigilant fighter of cancer, always remembering those who fought the disease with her and before her. In addition to her parents, husbands, and son, she was also preceded in death by her step son, Don Rivera, sisters, Elivera Barrera and Mary Aguilar and brothers, Frank Hernandez and George Hernandez. Funeral services were held at 10 am Monday November 18, 2013 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church with Father Gabriel Espinosa officiating. A visitation and rosary was held the night before at Mt. Carmel Catholic Church. Survivors include her sons, Joseph Rivera and wife, Mary of Shiner, and Rudolph Rivera and wife, Olivia of Victoria, stepsons; Daniel Rivera and wife, Gloria of Richmond and David Rivera and wife, Tina of Wharton, grandchildren, David Patek, Timothy Patek and wife Navella, Amanda Renee Rivera, Laurie Michelle Rivera, Gabriella Marie Rivera, Matthew Paul Rivera, Bryan Anthony Rivera, Carlos Longoria and wife, Laurie, great granddaughter, Gemma Clair Longoria, and seven step grandchildren and several step great grandchildren, sisters, Shirley Castro and Margaret Garcia both of Wharton and brothers, Raymond Hernandez and wife, Fay of Wharton, Eliseo Hernandez and wife Lucilla of Wharton, and Johnny Hernandez and wife, Sonia of Manderville, La. Pallbearers will be David Patek, Timothy Patek, Carlos Longoria, Khristopher Rivera, Mike Rivera, Jason Rivera, Matthew Rivera and Bryan Rivera. Serving as honorary pallbearers were all her other grandchildren. In desiring, memorials may be made to Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, 506 S. East Ave., Wharton, TX 77488. Funeral services are under the direction of the Wharton Funeral Home.