Julia Bustamante Soto

Julia Bustamante Soto, 85, of Gonzales, passed away Tuesday, June 28, 2016. Julia was born Dec. 14, 1930 in Smiley to Luis Bustamante and Micaela Munoz Bustamante. She married Julio Maldonado Soto on Oct. 17, 1954 in Nixon. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Julia was actually born in the Rocky/Smiley area of Gonzales County and grew up in Nixon. She worked at a very early age beside her family as migrant farmers. Julia later worked for Continental Egg Produce Company as an egg candler. She worked in the family restaurant business in the Texas Indian Café in Harwood but most of her life she proudly worked as a homemaker, lovingly caring for her husband and children.

Julia loved to dance and cook. She made the very best tamales and cornbread dressing known to her family and those that had the opportunity to enjoy her cooking. She imparted her love of cooking, keeping house and dancing to her children.

She stressed the merits of good character and values. She lived a life reflecting a beautiful innocence as a traditional conservative and humble woman. Her hands were seldom idle as she worked constantly to care for and love her family. She loved her family in abundance and always put their needs ahead of her own.

Julia B. Soto is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Rosie Ann and George Flores of Gonzales, Leticia Anna and John Reyna of Boise, Idaho; sons, Fernando Bustamante “Freddy” Soto of Austin, Hector Luis Soto and Rosie Lynn Ross of Gonzales; sisters and brother-in-law, Dora Barrientos, Elida Avalos, Emma and Filliberto Hernandez; brother and sister-in-law, Nicolas and Carolyn Bustamante all of San Antonio; grandchildren, Debbie Martinez and Robert, Laura Flores, Jonathan Soto, Desiree and Alan Creel, Joshua Reyna, Violet Soto, Christopher Soto, Jaylen Soto and LLandira Soto; great-grandchildren, Austin Martinez, Chloe Reyna, Mariah Perez, R.J. Tristan, and Braxton Nelson. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, parents; sister, Narcissa Bustamante; and brothers, Lucio and Elizandro Bustamante.

A rosary will be recited Thursday, June 30, 2016 at 7 p.m. in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 1 in Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Fr. Paul Raaz officiating. Interment will follow in St. James Cemetery. Pallbearers are Johnathan Soto, Christopher Soto, Robert Martinez, George Flores, John Reyna and Ray Escobedo. Honorary pallbearers include Frank DeLeon, Ramiro Munoz, Richard Munoz and Rene Munoz.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or the St James Cemetery Association. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.