Dates
Stella G. Rodriguez, beloved wife, sister and mother of two children, 81, of San Angelo, TX, returned to God on December 20, 2025.
Stella was born in San Angelo, TX in 1944 to Celestino Gonzales and Rosa Cuellar Gonzales. She attended high school in San Angelo, TX and earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Angelo State University. After graduation, she went on to work at Pasadena Care Center and Tomball Regional Hospital in Texas.
Stella met Joel Rodriguez in 1964 and they were married in 1966. Initially, Stella was not interested in dating Joel, but one momentous date changed her opinion and their love story began. They celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary earlier this year. The couple loved one another deeply with their devotion centered on faith, family, and friends. The two loved to dance and attend music concerts and were known to enjoy going to events and social with their family and friends.
Stella was a devoted mother to her and her husband’s greatest blessings, Joel Jason Rodriguez and Lori Mendel. Her love for them knew no end and she raised them to be strong, independent, and faith loving individuals. She taught them to stand up for themselves and to advocate for others when necessary which she continuously led by example.
Her love of reading was known by her friends and family. She and her husband loved to read. Together, they built a library in their home that fostered a love of reading in Joel Jason and Lori. Stella loved mysteries and created a large collection of Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle novels. Her love of reading grew to include Christian and devotional books as well as miracles of faith.
She found joy in service and had fond memories volunteering with the Houston Junior Chamber of Commerce – The Jaycees. There she and her husband met Lonnie & Betty Love, Bob & Georgia Townley, Pete & Esther Lerma, and Lynn & Judy Gottardy who became like family to them.
Stella committed her life to Christ and to service. She was a prayerful woman who read scripture daily. Stella believed in fully participating in a community of faith and was known to be active in prayer and bible groups throughout her life. She was an active volunteer at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church and St. Monica Catholic Church in Houston, TX. Stella supported many evangelical and Christian worker ministries throughout her life. One of her fondest memories for her and her husband was volunteering with Hope-Village in Houston. Their commitment to service and faith was one of the foundational tenants they instilled in their children which they fully embrace in their adulthood.
Stella was preceded in death by mother Rosa Gonzales, sister Ruth Davis, uncle Miguel Valadez, and aunts Juanita Lara and Carmen Valadez, who welcomed her in Heaven. She is survived by husband Joel Rodriguez, son Joel Jason, daughter Lori and son-in-law Calvin “Butch” Mendel, sister Adel Valadez, nieces and nephews James Valadez, Michael Valadez, Danny Rodriguez, Marisol Rodriguez, Peter Rodriguez, Sylvia Goodwin, Sandra Gonzalez Hipo, Richard Gonzalez, and many cousins and great nieces and nephews, who know Stella will be welcoming them in the afterlife.
Stella will be available for viewing on December 27, 2025 from 8:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M. at Harper Funeral Home. A visitation will be held from 3:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. At Harper Funeral Home on December 28, 2025 with a Rosary Vigil Service beginning at 5:00 P.M. The Funeral Mass is scheduled for 10:00 A.M., December 29, 2025, at Sacred Heart Cathedral, followed by the interment at Calvary Cemetery.
Family and friends may share condolences and sign the online register book at www.harper-funeralhome.com.