Obituary: Roberto Zavala

Roberto Zavala
Roberto Zavala

Funeral services for Roberto Zavala, 80, of Athens are scheduled for 7 p.m., Thursday, June 27, 2013 and a funeral mass is scheduled for 2 p.m., Friday, June 28, 2013 at the St. Edwards Catholic Church in Athens. Burial will follow at Athens Cemetery in Athens.

Mr. Zavala passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2013 in Tyler.

Roberto was born April 20, 1933 in Monte Escobedo, Zacatecas Mexico the son of Jesus Zavala and Maria Gandara Zavala. He was a hardworking man who loved his family. He enjoyed farming and spent countless hours making toothpicks. “Welito” was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother and will be missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Mr. Zavala was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Juan Antonio Zavala; and two brothers, Alfredo and Eustolia Zavala.

He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Maria Socorro Miranda Zavala; five daughters, Rosario Z. deCastillo of Piedras Negras, Mexico, Antonia Z. Herrera of Jacksonville, Texas, Felicitas Z. Castaneda of Athens, Lilia Z. Rojas of Denver, Colo., Azucena Z. Carranza of Athens; four sons, Jose de Jesus Zavala of Athens, Reynaldo Zavala of Athens, Roberto Zavala and Guillermo Zavala both of Chicago, Illinios; one sister, Eloisia Zavala of Mazatlan, Mexico; 36 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Visitations will be Wednesday, June 26, 2013 from 5-9 p.m. and Thursday, June 27, 2013 from 5-9 p.m. at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Israel Castaneda, Roberto Castillo, Juan Antonio Zavala, Reynaldo Zavala Jr., Gerardo Zavala and Jesus Zavala Jr.