Odilia E Barrera

   Odilia Escobar Barrera was born on January 23rd, 1946, in Escobares, TX to Emilio and Epifania R. Escobar, the youngest of 6 children. 

   During her younger years, she traveled throughout Northern Texas as a migrant worker until her marriage to Mario Barrera on December 24th, 1967. She then settled down in Santa Elena Ranch to raise and care for her family. Though a formal education did not play a role in her upbringing, she did see the value in it, motivating her to attain her GED more than 20 years after the birth of her children. This allowed her to become a licensed phlebotomist working for Dr. M. Ramírez, Dr. R. González, the Community Action Council of South Texas, and state programs “Community Action and Diabetes Alert” and “Nutrition Program of Starr County”. Her work focused on point-of-care disease screening, mobile laboratory tests for immobile patients, and aiding the county in nutrition education. 

   Throughout her life, she was known to enjoy cooking, feeding people, embroidering, sewing, and dancing. Giving what she could to her community and her family. Fearless in her efforts to provide for her family, provide to her community, to prosper and press forward despite all obstacles in life and her health. 

   She is preceded in death by her parents, Emilio and Epifania Escobar, as well as her five siblings Bernardo, Emilia Lydia, Paula, Anecleto, and Mario Escobar. 

   She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Mario E. Barrera of Santa Elena Ranch, a daughter, Melinda Barrera-Canché (Xavier) of McAllen, TX, a son, Mario Barrera Jr. (Juanita) of Zapata, TX, and four grandchildren, Mario Barrera III, Dr. Xavier Marcel Canché, Monica Lorraine Barrera and Sophia Marina Canché as well as nieces and nephews. 

   Thank you to her caregivers Mario Sr, Mario III, Yolanda, and Rosalinda. [Gracias Yolanda y Rosalinda por los cuidados llenos de paciencia y amor.]

   Special thanks to the healthcare workers at Mission Regional Medical Center for their care, patience, understanding, and sympathy during her three-week stay until her final hours.