Olivia Rendon

Olivia Gonzales Rendon, affectionately known as Nana or Tia Olé, age 79, of Junction, Texas passed peacefully from this world June 23, 2020 surrounded by her children in Kerrville, Texas.

Born in El Dorado, TX May 17th, 1941 to Trinidad Gonzales Sr & Juanita Enriquez Gonzales, Olivia and her family relocated to Junction, TX in approximately 1945, which she called home for the remainder of her life.

In her youth Olivia enjoyed participating, and as evidenced by family photos often prevailed, in a variety of pageants & contests celebrating any number of culturally significant events both locally as well as in neighboring communities of Menard & Rocksprings.  This early propensity to showcase her natural beauty and vivacious personality, coupled with her unabashed enjoyment of the spotlight continued throughout her lifetime, eventually even leading her to host a Sunday Spanish radio program via AM station KMBL which reached audiences as far as Rocksprings, and ran for as many as 8 years with Olivia at the helm.  Friends and family fondly remember her as always being willing and able to introduce a certain gusto, liveliness, and perhaps most importantly, intersect her signature humor, which some might say bordered on mischievousness, into not only special events and gatherings, but into day to day life as well.

In contrast to Olivia’s willingness to bask in the limelight, her service & contributions to her community, her family, and her faith, while often more subtle in nature were equally as significant & everlasting.  Remembered as having possessed a strong work ethic throughout her life, Olivia held a variety of positions and occupations by which she supported not only her own family but often her community as a whole as well.  Her introduction to the public workforce began with her manning of the refreshments section of the local drive in movie theater, where it is rumored that many of her nieces, nephews, and other young family members would gladly accompany her to and from work in exchange for “discounted” admissions to the showings.  From there, she took on housekeeping duties at several local establishments and for many families as well; this, in a time when housekeepers and others assisting with such domestic duties where not merely employees, but where lifelong friendships, some of which bordered on inclusion into the families often developed.  After serving in such roles for many years, Olivia, along with her then husband Frederico Rendon opened Picos Restaurant, where her enchiladas, and a variety of similar offerings gained notoriety locally, a testament to yet another of her many endearing qualities, that of being an excellent cook.  Following this theme of service, Olivia accepted, and maintained for over a decade, a position with the Meals on Wheels program where she dutifully served the senior citizen community in a range of capacities until retiring in 2003.

Overlaying this lifetime of rich experience, was a deep dedication to her faith; dutifully attending services, and assisting with an untold number of events & celebrations associated with the church as well as the community.  While in her later years due to lessened mobility she was not able to attend services & events as often as she would have liked, friends & family alike can attest to the fact that any goodbye, whether venturing out for a quick run to the store or a cross country adventure elicited from Olivia a multitude of prayers and protections spoken over the traveler.

The culmination of her lifelong experiences resulted in what was undeniably her proudest achievement and accomplishment, that of her role as a loving caring mother and grandmother.  Olivia’s dedication and loyalty to her children was evident not only in her unwavering support of their various endeavors as both children and adults, but in her determination to instill in them the key tenets of success such as hard work, discipline, and perseverance.  Olivia’s grandchildren were also blessed to experience similar support from her, with perhaps a bit less emphasis on discipline as she doted on them lovingly.  Whether cheering them from the sidelines, or accompanying them through graduations, no accomplishments proved too small or insignificant to not illicit confirmation from their Nana regarding her pride in them.   Friends and acquaintances could quickly determine through even the briefest conversations with Olivia that she harbored an immense pride in her children, and grandchildren’s accomplishment both large and small.

Olivia was preceded in death by her father Trinidad Gonzales Sr., mother Juanita Enriquez Gonzales, brother Horacio Gonzales, brother Trinidad Gonzales II, & sister Oralia Gonzales.

Olivia is survived by son Danny Rendon & wife Ortensia of Kerrville, TX; daughter Melissa Venzor & husband Phillip of Kerrville, TX, daughter Patricia Colvin & husband Gibson of Junction Tx; grandchildren Savanah & Christopher Rendon of Kerrville, TX; Cassandra Sandoval of San Antonio, TX; Ryan Rendon of Kerrville, TX; Desiree & Sierra Venzor of Bandera, TX; Alec Menchaca of Webster, TX; Nadia Menchaca of Junction, TX; & Richard & Chloe Colvin of Junction, TX; Sister Nancy Gonzales of Junction, TX; as well as numerous nieces & nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1:00 PM, Saturday, June 27, 2020 at St. Theresa Catholic Church with Father Innocent Eziefule as celebrant.  Face masks are required for entry into St. Theresa Catholic Church.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be 6:00 PM, Friday at Kimble Funeral Home.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Kimble Funeral Home. (325) 446-3076