Luisa Canales Rodriguez

On Friday, November 13, 2020, Luisa Canales Rodriguez, Loving Wife, Loving Mother of 6 children, passed away peacefully at her home in Dallas, Texas at the age of 98. Luisa was born on February 19, 1922, in Lorena, Texas, Route 6, to the parentage of Vivano E. and Josefa (Padilla) Canales. Luisa in her childhood years, traveled along with her family, 4 sisters and 1 brother, to pick cotton from town to town, earning just enough money to carry the family to the next pickings, sleeping under the open sky, under the earth's stars. Though Luisa completed only a 6th grade education, she was well beyond any high school diploma teachings, learning to read and write with minimal education.

Luisa was a stay at home Mom to ensure her children received a strong, loving foundation. Luisa led her life by good leadership, firm commitment to do the right thing, at the right time, for the right reason. Luisa was a courageous woman who always led by example in the reflection of her integrity, communication and empathy. In the community where she raised her children, Luisa served on the school PTA, was awarded Mom of the Year and never strayed from being an advocate for her children. Luisa's home was always the place for family and friend gatherings and always open for anyone who needed a place to stay. Upon her children becoming of middle school age, Luisa secured a job with the YWCA on Ross Avenue, starting from being an after school bus driver to eventually becoming the front desk receptionist, retiring after 20 years of service. In between working Luisa was the primary caretaker to her husband until his death.

Luisa was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Rodriguez, Sr. Luisa is survived by her children, Robert (Debra) Alonzo of Grand Prairie, Texas; Ruben Alonzo, Denton Support Living Center; Gloria (Johnny) Oliva, Mesquite, Texas; Elizabeth (Ruben) Velez, Mesquite, Texas; Joe Jr. (Leslie/deceased), Dallas, Texas; and Bernadette (Fred) Kantani, Plano, Texas. Luisa is survived by 13 Grandchildren, numerous Great Grandchildren, and Great Great Grandchildren. Luisa was and is deeply loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.