Amanda Gutierrez Rash

Amanda Gutierrez Rash Amanda Gutierrez Rash died peacefully on March 3, 2013 in Laredo, Texas. Born on July 24, 1912, she was 100 years old. It was the custom a century ago that young women go to their mother's home to give birth to their children. So it was that her mother went to Guerrero (Viejo), Tamaulipas, Mexico, where Amanda was born. Her parents Carlos and Ana Gutierrez, however, lived in Zapata, Texas where Amanda and her nine siblings resided and where she met her future husband. Amanda married Roy C. Rash, who was involved in road construction. Because of her husband's employment, Mrs. Rash and her family lived in various states. Mr. and Mrs. Rash settled in Laredo during which time they built Border Road Construction Company. Their company built the first stretch of Interstate 35 and Laredo's first boulevard, Clark Boulevard. This company went on to construct many statewide highways. Independently, she went on to manage her many businesses. Widowed at an early age, Amanda dedicated her life to raising her three daughters. She was an exemplary daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother. She stayed close to her family, making frequent trips to Zapata during her parents’ and siblings’ lifetimes. Amanda was generous in ways that truly mattered. She gave her love, her time, and advice along with her blessings. Everyone who visited Amanda’s home knew that there was always room at the table where there was good home cooking and lively conversation. Amanda was the last of her generation. She was a woman of substance, timeless and strong. But most important was Amanda’s faith which sustained her throughout her life, especially in her last days. She prayed constantly, uttering: “Jesucristo en voz confio”. She is preceded in death by her husband, Roy C. Rash; daughter, Rose Lee Rash; parents, Ana Chapa de Gutierrez, Carlos Sergio Gutierrez; brothers, Oscar, Eloy (Felicidad), Dennis, Sergio; sisters, Blanca (Salvador) Garcia, Sacramento (Juan) Garcia, Gloria (Flavio) Gonzalez, Ana Iris Gutierrez; son-in-law, John E. Mann. Amanda is survived by daughters, Eva Linda Rash Mann, Arlene Myra Rash Aldridge; grandchildren, Carlos Y. Benavides, III, Guillermo David Benavides, Linda Cristina B. (Patrick) Alexander, Ashleigh Ann (Scott) Gibson, Lauren Elizabeth (Nader) Farhoudi, Robert Russell Aldridge, Louis Ward (Jasmine)Vale, IV; step grandchildren, Mary Alice Law, Lisa Law, Kellie M. Gilpin. She is also survived by 16 great-grandchildren; cousins, Magdalena Gutierrez, Maria E. Salmon and numerous nieces and nephews. A rosary will be recited on Friday, March 8, 2013 at 9 a.m. in the Hillside Funeral Home Chapel. A visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m. from Hillside Funeral Home to St. Patrick Catholic Church. A mass will be celebrated at 12 noon. Interment will follow at the family plot of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Carlos Y. Benavides, Roberto N. Benavides, Robert R. Aldridge, Guillermo D. Benavides, Jr., Joshua A. Benavides, Ricardo D. Benavides, Alfonso E. Benavides and Eduardo L. Benavides. Special thanks to her caregivers for their compassion and support, especially, Margarita Alvarez. The family would also like to extend their gratitude to Doctors Ildefonzo Flores, Leo Cigarroa and Hospice nurses, especially, Javier Reyna. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bethany House of Laredo, The Congregation of the Brothers of St. John, or the Sisters of St. John. If you wish to sign the guestbook, you may do so at www.hillsidefuneral.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Hillside Funeral Home, 310 Hillside Road.