Esmeralda Salinas

Esmeralda Salinas, a beloved mother, paraprofessional, and great friend to many, left the world peacefully on December 28, 2024, at the age of 61. She was survived by her husband, Francisco Rangel, and daughter Bianca Ochoa (Angel), and many half brothers and sisters. She was preceded in death by her mother, Benigna Salinas and father, Alejandro Chavez.

Esmer graduated from Lyford High School, Class of ’83. She went on to receive a bachelor’s degree at Texas A & I Kingsville. She returned to Lyford CISD to work as a paraprofessional where she devoted herself for 35 years. She worked at the elementary, middle school, and high school. During the early years at Lyford CISD, she also worked as “Mother Goose”, where she took her bus out to the colonias to provide the children extra enrichment after school. Many students and parents to this day still remember her as “Mother Goose”. Esmer also became a bus driver, where she did before and after school routes and helped take sports teams, cheerleaders, and band members to and from their events, all while still working as a paraprofessional throughout the day. She enjoyed working the ticket booth at the Friday night football games, where she was the first to greet everyone coming in. Her caring heart and radiant smile impacted many individuals during her time at Lyford CISD where she built lasting relationships with everyone.

With the countless hours of work, she put in at school, Esmer still had plenty of time for many hobbies. She became an avid runner/walker and completed numerous 5Ks for many different causes, a few half marathons, and a full marathon. She thoroughly enjoyed completing these events and making new friends along the way. She loved spending hours out shopping and going out to eat with her closest friends. When at home, she enjoyed tending to and taking pictures of her beautiful roses. Esmer also had a love for photography, it was her way of preserving those memories, especially of those she held dear to her heart.

No matter what hardships came her way, Esmer was a woman of unwavering faith and never backed down. She attended different bible study groups throughout the years and prayed the rosary nightly. 

Her greatest joy was being a devoted wife to her husband, Frank, and a wonderful mother to her daughter. To Bianca, she was not just a parent but a guide, a confidante, and a source of unwavering support. They had the pleasure of making so many memories together from things so simple as shopping and eating, to taking trips and a cruise, to even completing a half marathon together.

Esmer’s life was a living testament to the power of faith, love, and grace. She is now in the presence of the Lord, where she will continue to experience the peace and joy, she shared with so many during her time on earth. Her legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 2, 2024, from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. with a holy rosary at 7 p.m. at Good Shepherd Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, January 3, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Church. All services will conclude at this time.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the caring hands of Good Shepherd Funeral Home, 1157 W. Hidalgo Ave., Raymondville, Texas 78580

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