Oralia Villarreal Gonzales, 94, of Pawnee, entered into eternal rest on April 10, 2026, at John Paul II Nursing Home, in Kenedy, TX.  She was born April 11, 1931, to Epifanio, Sr. and Antonia Escamilla Villarreal.  On August 18, 1979, she married Lauro Carreon Gonzales in Pawnee and was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and Our Lady Queen of Peace.  She attended faithfully until her illness required her to be a resident of John Paul II Nursing Home in Kenedy, TX since May 2019.  Oralia was a homemaker and although she had no children, was considered the matriarch of the family by numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews, who loved her dearly.  She loved to serve others and provided countless meals to family and friends facing illness or loss of loved ones.  You were always welcome in her home for a visit or extended stay as several nieces and nephews were fortunate to have done while they attended Pawnee ISD and Bee County College in Beeville, TX.  Her generosity and love for her family were beyond measure.  Tia Lala was proceeded in death by her parents, Epifanio, Sr. and Antonia Villarreal; her husband of 38 years Lauro Gonzales; three sisters, Hortencia Chapa (Hilario, Jr.), Olga Leal (Adelaido), and Minerva Mires (Leonard); two brothers, Jose Gonzalo Villarreal, Sr. (Estella), and Epifanio Villarreal, Jr. (Maria).

Survivors include one brother, Dr. Roberto E. Villarreal (Norma) of Floresville, TX and numerous nephews and nieces, including Hilario Chapa, III (Sylvia) of Mineral, who was raised in the Villarreal home by his grandparents.

A Holy Rosary will be recited at 7:00pm on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Eckols Funeral Chapel in Kenedy, TX, with Father Rev. Rubert Ploch officiating.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 10:00am at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church with Father Robert Ploch officiating.  Interment followed at The Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery in Pawnee, TX.

Serving as Pallbearers are Carlo Chapa, Adelaido Leal, Jr., Ryan Parker, Cinco Villarreal, Jimmy Villarreal and Marco Villarreal.

Her family would like to offer a sincere thank you to the staff of John Paul II Nursing Home in Kenedy, TX, where Tia Lala was a resident for almost 7 years.  Their resident and hospice care were phenomenal, and we are forever grateful for the quality of life Tia experienced while she was there.  A special thanks also to Dr. Roberto Ramirez for his monthly visits to supervise her care at the nursing home.