Jovita Enriquez Tellez passed away peacefully and was welcomed into the eternal embrace of her Heavenly Father on May 18, 2024, at the age of 100.

Jovita, also affectionately known as Jo, was born on February 15, 1924, in Luling, TX to Luz and Maria de la Luz (Aguiñaga) Enriquez and lived a life of service and love. During WWII, at 21 years of age, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the WAVES, an all-women reserve unit. She was one of very few women who volunteered for the Armed Forces during that war period. Upon separation in 1946, Jo had the rank of Ship's Serviceman 3rd Class - she was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and was entitled to wear the WWII Victory Medal and the WWII American Campaign Medal.

She met her beloved husband, Tony, while both were using their GI Bill of Rights at Durham Business College. They married on November 26, 1949, and raised four children while Jo held a career at Kelly AFB until retirement.

Jo's retirement gave her the gift of serving her beloved St. Matthew's Catholic Church in countless ways for decades. The organizations blessed to have her service included: Legion of Mary, Eucharistic ministry, Confraternity of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Bilingual Choir, Perpetual Adoration, Hospital Ministry, and visitation of the sick and homebound. In 1993, Jo professed her vows as a Third Order Lay Franciscan. Jo blended her Eucharistic and Hospital ministries by serving as a Spiritual Resource for an area hospital for 20 years. All her community and church volunteering was accomplished while walking to her church and riding the bus.

On the occasion of her 100th birthday, CMC Octavia Harris, the Texas Ambassador for the Military Women's Memorial, awarded Jo with a Proclamation naming her a Living Legend for blazing a trail for women of all branches of the Armed Forces to serve our country; Jo was also presented with CMC Harris' Challenge Coin. The Mayor of San Antonio honored Jo with a Ceremonial Birthday Certificate and the San Antonio Women Veterans of San Antonio President recognized Jo's achievements.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Tony A. Tellez, sisters and brothers; Rebecca Enriquez, Herminia Adams, Mary Castillo, Anastasia Amador, Tomás Enriquez, Sylvestra Morales, and Bonifacio Enriquez.

She is survived by her children: Cynthia Tellez, Nancy Marin, Anthony Tellez (Sylvia), and Gail Anderson; grandchildren: Sandra Solis (Bob), Victor Farias, Laura Boren (Doug), Elizabeth Cardenas, Michael Tellez, Gabriel Tellez (Tyler), Ciera Anderson; great-grandchildren: Nicholas Gonzalez, Zoe Ramos, Karis Cardenas, Zachary Boren, Joshua Boren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A special acknowledgment and thank you to the owner and staff of Golden Age Home Care facility, Roxana Birta, and caregivers: Maxine Allen, Kaye, Sophia, Christine, and many other staff members who cared for and loved Jo (Joey) the last few years of her life. The staff at VITAS Hospice were also a tremendous gift of love and service to Jo and our family.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Visitation will be begin at 5:00 p.m.

Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m.

The Angelus Funeral Home

1119 N. St. Mary's St.

Wednesday, June 5, 2024

Funeral Mass will be offered at

9:15 a.m.

St. Matthew's Catholic Church

10703 Wurzbach Road, 78230

The Funeral Mass will be live streamed for those who cannot join in person

at: https://www.youtube.com/live/imEZItjO1gg?si=Qa0sb7TpM03gcoTM

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Interment will follow at 11:15 a.m. at

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with military honors.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the

Wounded Warrior Project

https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org

855.448.3997

or

The Children's Shelter

www.ChildrensShelter.org

210-212-2500