Amelia Ramirez Canales was born on October 4, 1925 and died February 27, 2015. Amelia grew up in Hebbronville, Texas in Jim Hogg County. Amelia's ancestors were early Spanish land grantees in this Texas region when it still belonged to Spain and Mexico. Amelia's maternal ancestors, were the Francisco Pea family and the Francisco Barrera Guerra family. They were among the founding families of Mier,Tamaulipas Mexico and Hebbronville, originally named Pea Station, for Amelia's great grandfather. In 1915 her Mother, Amelia Barrera-Guerra married Rafael Ramirez from Mier,Tamaulipas Mexico, a Ganadero (Cattleman) who owned a ranch in Duval County near Hebbronville. She graduated from Hebbronville High School where she was head cheerleader and salutatorian. She achieved Phi Beta Kappa status as a freshmen at Incarnate Word College in San Antonio, Texas. Following her freshmen year she married Gregorio M. Canales a Medical student who was five years her senior and also from Hebbronville. In 1960 the couple ultimately settled in San Antonio where Dr. Gregorio Canales was an Orthopedic Surgeon, and they raised seven children. Amelia's discretionary hours were spent supporting the arts, volunteering for civic organizations such as the Women's Pavilion during Hemisfair, the Mexican American Cultural Center, and El Patronato. Amelia enjoyed her efforts for the LIGHT ONE CANDLE/Dr. Gregorio M. Canales Memorial Education Fund. She also wrote poetry about the terrain and temper of South Texas and its bi-cultural people. A common theme of Amelia's personal interests was support for those less fortunate. Her bilingual poetry was part of the San Antonio ISD & Edgewood ISD language and literature program. She was one of the founding members of the Universidad de Mexico extension program in San Antonio and helped bring speakers and professors from Mexico. She was preceded in death by Mother, Amelia Barrera-Guerra Ramirez, Father, Rafael Ramirez, husband Dr. Gregorio M. Canales, son Gregorio Manuel Canales, daughter Maria Magdalena Canales, son-in-law Richard Helm. She is survived by her children Francine Garza-Vale and her husband Dr. Arnulfo Garza-Vale, Amelia Rosario Sondgeroth and her husband Jim, her daughter-in-law Mrs. Gregorio Manuel Canales (Josie) Canales, Luis Felipe Canales and his wife Hillary Hearn Canales, Maria del Pilar (Mapi) Helm and Cristina Maria Canales; her grandchildren Nicole (Niki) Zoli and her husband Guido Zoli, Andrea Teresa Maaseide and her husband Steve Maaseide and Anthony Garza-Vale, Francisco (Pancho) Sondgeroth and his wife Jordan, Erica Sondgeroth, Angelica Fruin and her husband Scott, Sonya Gil and husband Aaron, Monica Canales, Rebecca Helm and Alex Helm, Katie Canales; Great Grandchildren Michael, Ellie and Mia Maaseide; Alessio and Giacomo Zoli, Malik Canales-Turner, Magnum and Amelia Mandalay Fruin, Amado Canales-Salazar, Antonio Canales, Mythius and Harmony Lopez, Joseph and Jacob Sondgeroth. The family wants to express deep appreciation to the Sisters and Nursing Staff of Incarnate Word Extended Care. We will never forget the excellent and compassionate Christ centered care they gave our Mother. May God bless all of you! FUNERAL SERVICES Visitation will begin on Tuesday, March 10, at 5:00 P.M. with a Rosary to be recited at 6:30 P.M. at the Angelus Chapel. Funeral Mass will be offered on Wednesday, March 11, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church, 102 Lorenz Rd. Interment will follow at 11:30 A.M. in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider making a donation in memory of Amelia R. Canales to these charities: Light One Candle Memorial Education Fund/San Antonio Area Foundation, 303 Pearl Parkway Suite 114, San Antonio, TX 78215 or NAMI of San Antonio, 510 Belknap Place, San Antonio, TX 78212.