Celia Huerta Perez

Funeral services for Celia Huerta Perez, 81, of Lufkin will be held Friday, May 31, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Martin Ferguson officiating. Interment will follow in Largent Cemetery.

Celia Huerta Perez was born December 3, 1942 to Amelia Cano Huerta and Ramon Huerta in Meadow, Texas. Celia, also known as “Sally”, passed away at home May 26, 2024. Celia was a true pioneer woman and lived through many hardships during her life. She was the daughter of a sharecropper and migrant worker. At times the only home that was available was underneath the trucks that were used for the fields. Celia also ensured that her mother had help with her younger siblings and helped with the cooking for the family.

Celia started her family at a very young age as well. She was married at the age of 13. She had her first child at 14 with the eighth and last child at the age of 23. Without an education she still broke down barriers that would seem impossible. Celia managed the finances and everyday responsibilities of running the household of a large family. She even managed to obtain a driver’s license without ever learning to read or write. She and her husband, Pancho, accomplished the purchase of two homes and raised their children with much love. Celia was a strong and faithful Christian woman. She let her love for the Lord be known to everyone she came across. She made sure to pray for all of her loved ones every day and was ready to meet Jesus whenever he called. Celia loved and enjoyed her family very much; her family was definitely her pride and joy. One of her favorite hobbies was cooking; she was always cooking a variety of different meals and was known by many for her excellent tamales and pumpkin empanadas. If you stopped by Nanny’s house, she made sure you didn’t leave hungry. She was an inspiration to many and well loved by her whole family and anyone who knew her.

Celia spent most of her life raising children, including helping to raise her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all the way to her final days, her great-great-grandchildren. Her love and passion for her family and God will always be undeniable, she was a faithful servant to her Church as well.

Celia was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 50 years, Enicasio “Pancho” T. Perez; her daughter, Rosa Maria Lopez; her son, Enicasio Perez, Jr.; her sisters, Ester Perez and Estella Florez; and brother, Arnolfo Huerta; and her great-granddaughter, Leigh Ann Perez.

She is survived by her brothers, Rudy Huerta of Lufkin and Arthur and Susie Huerta of Wharton.

Her sons and daughters are Luis A. Perez of Lufkin, Lupe and Brandy Perez of Lufkin, Theodore and Cathy Perez of Huntington, Mabel Perez of Lufkin, Jenie and Eric Tobias of Wells, and Greg and Terri Ener of Lufkin.

Her grandchildren are Luis A., Jr. and Mina Perez of Hudson and great-grandchildren, Austin and Caleb Naughte of Dahlonega, Georgia, Allan, Allana, Aja, and great-great-grandchild Greenly Pena; Ginger and Daniel Fowler of Colmesneil and great-grandchildren, Taya Fowler with great-great-granddaughter, Seger Hranicky, Keeley and Colby Brack with great-great-grandson, Coen Brack, and Dylan Fowler; Linsey and Cody Sheffield of Bryan and great-granddaughter, Avery Sheffield; Shawne Perez of Lake Charles, Louisiana; Theodore, Jr. and Cassie Perez of Carthage and great-granddaughter, Isabella Perez; Crystal Perez of Nacogdoches and great-grandchildren, Nyla Abbassi, Zack Abbassi, Savanna and Daniel Stanford; Cynthia and Ricky Fritzgerald of Chireno and great-grandchildren, Devin and Taylor Fritzgerald; Samantha and Kyle Kreglow of DeGraff, Ohio and great-grandchildren, Hunter and Abby Kreglow, Kalin Kreglow and Blake II, Malina Kreglow, Carter Kreglow, and great-great-grandchild, Blake Kenner III; Christopher and Rachel Robertson of Shirley, Massachusetts and great-grandchildren, Emelia, Abram, Avery, Eliza and Elias Roberts; Celia and Casey Strickland of Lufkin and great-grandchildren, Gabrielle Negrete, Hayden, Samuel and Ethan Strickland; Billy and Rachel Massingill of Lufkin and great-grandchildren, Sofia Massingill, Nicholas Caberra, and Tyler Massingill; great-grandson, Gabriel Ener of Hudson with great-great-grandchildren, Luke Ener and Walker Lee Ener; great-granddaughter, Heaven and Jesse Galan of Leesville, Louisiana and expecting great-great-grandchild in December.

The family expresses special thanks to her caregiver and friend, Lillian Stilson and best friend of many years, Sister Gayle Ferguson.

Pallbearers will be Christopher Robertson, Kyle Kreglow, Gabriel Ener, Greg Ener, Theo Perez, and Tony Perez, Jr.

Honorary pallbearers will be Billy Massingill, Davy Hill, Alan Cooper, Devin Fitzgerald, Zach Abbasi, Hayden Strickland, Samuel Strickland, and Ethan Strickland.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.