Carmen S. Morales

It is with profound sorrow and deep love that we announce the passing of Carmen Santos Morales. Our loving mother, a matriarch and devout Catholic, was a blessing to all who knew her. She was the heart and soul of her family. Carmen passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded in prayer by her children and grandchildren, on the evening of April 11, 2026, in Laredo, Texas, at the age of 96.

Carmen is preceded in death by her devoted husband, Amador P. Morales; her son-in-law, Sergio L. Lopez; her niece, Liza I. Santos; nephews, Alfredo Santos III and Horacio Muñoz Jr.; grand-nephew, Jason Ochoa; and all of her siblings and their spouses: Alfredo (Estela) Santos Jr., Herminia Santos, Apolonio (Mercedes) Santos, Judge Alberto (Hortencia) Santos, Maria (Horacio) Muñoz, and Arnulfo (Elva) Santos.

Carmen was born to Alfredo Santos and Maria Salinas Santos, members of a pioneering Laredo family whose legacy helped shape the local community. Her parents were known for owning one of Laredo’s earliest grocery store, Alfredo Santos Grocery, a neighborhood landmark that served families for generations and became a symbol of hard work, service, and dedication. Through their example, Carmen learned the values of perseverance, generosity, and faith—qualities she carried with her throughout her life. She was devoted to both her family and her career as Secretary Treasurer of the family businesses as she generously gave of her time to help her parents and husband with their business affairs. She was a confidant to all, spanning multiple generations.

Carmen lived a life rooted in unwavering faith. A devout Catholic, she found strength and purpose in prayer, trusting fully in God’s will. She prayed daily for her children, grandchildren, and all those she loved, carrying each of them in her heart with a quiet, steadfast devotion. Her faith was not only something she believed—it was something she lived, reflected in her kindness, humility, and grace. For two decades, Carmen and her siblings proudly carpooled their children to Mary Help of Christians School as an expression of her lifelong profound spiritual faith and dedication to Christ, St. John Bosco’s school, the Salesian sisters, and her extended parishes, Holy Redeemer Church, San Francisco Javier Church, Mother Cabrini Church, Divine Mercy Church, Christ the King Church, St. Patrick Church, and the Santa Cruz Mission.

Carmen was a kind, loving, and patient woman who will be remembered for her generosity and compassion to those in need. She served the Lord as a loving, nourishing caregiver and confidant to all, her extended family, and family friends. She helped attend to the sick, visit the lonely, and support everyone in their time of need. Her compassionate spirit will endure, and she will forever remain in the hearts and minds of those who experienced her love.

Carmen was also a strong and loving matriarch whose presence brought comfort, guidance, and unity to her family. She had a rare and beautiful gift: she made everyone she encountered feel as though they were the only one in the world. Her nieces and nephews meant the world to her, and she forever held each of them close to her heart. Her love was personal, attentive, and deeply felt, leaving a lasting impression on all who knew her. Her warmth was complemented by a wonderful sense of humor that brought joy even in difficult times. She carried herself with wisdom, offering gentle guidance, thoughtful words, and a steady strength that her family leaned on throughout the years.

Mom’s home became known as “Mom’s Cup of Tea,” where family gathered to enjoy her perfected sweet tea, a game of Scrabble, a Sunday afternoon merienda, visits around the kitchen table, and living room challenges watching Wheel of Fortune and her favorite, Jeopardy. She spent many years

enjoying poker games with family and friends on Wednesday and Sunday evenings. She also found joy spending time in her garden, praying the rosary, bird-watching, and spending time with her grand and great-grandchildren.

Carmen is lovingly remembered and survived by her children: Teresa (Gabriel) Fonseca, Rosie Morales, Ruben (Lola) Morales, Carmen (Sergio†) López, Juan (Sylvia) Morales, Ernesto (Rosy) Morales, and Elsa (Filiberto) Banda, Jr. She also leaves behind a legacy of love through her grandchildren: Felipe Ramirez III, Sandra (Alan) Webb, Gloria Best Black, Melissa (Jonathan) Cruz, Amanda (Rick) Castro, Ernesto Morales Jr., Alfredo (Carol) Lopez, Christian (Jocelyn) Morales, Ashley Morales, Sergio (Ashley) López, Trey (Cassie) Best III, Rubén Morales Jr., Sebastián Morales, Liza (Joseph) García, Filiberto (Madison) Banda III, Ricardo Soto, Johnathan Morales, Mateo Morales, Erika Morales, and Nicolás Banda; and twenty-one great-grandchildren: Chloe, Hailey, Nathaniel, Alan, Gracelynn, Olivia, Oliver, Teriza, Miguel, Delilah, Alina, Aitana, Leilani, Alessandra, Marcelo, Melinda, Axel, Daniel, Lorenzo, Íker, Arnold, Elias, and Adelisa, each of whom brought her immense joy and pride.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Hillside Funeral & Cremation (310 W. Hillside Rd). A Rosary will follow and commence at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted on the morning of Friday, April 17, 2026, departing at 10:30 a.m. from Hillside Funeral & Cremation. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Church (555 E. Del Mar Blvd.). Burial will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest alongside her loving husband. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, whom she was incredibly proud of: Felipe Ramirez III, Ricardo Soto, Alfredo Lopez, Sergio Lopez, Christian Morales, Sebastian Morales, Filiberto Banda III, and Nicolás Banda. Honorary pallbearers are Ruben A. Morales, Juan A. Morales, Ernesto Morales, Filiberto Banda Jr., Herbert “Trey” Best III, Ruben A. Morales Jr., Jonathan A. Morales, Ernesto Morales Jr., and Angel Mateo Morales.

The family would like to take this opportunity to thank all the medical professionals who cared for Carmen: her loving caregivers, Maleni and Delia; Dr. Marissa González; the caring and compassionate team at Holy Savior Hospice—Rhonda, Rosy, Rosario, Makayla, and her devoted nurse, Christie; as well as the doctors, nurses, and staff of Doctor’s Hospital. A special thank you to Fr. Anthony Mendoza, Fr. Juan Mercado, and Deacon Jerry Morales for guiding our loving mother through prayer and continued devotion.

Her legacy is one of faith, love, strength, and compassion. The values she instilled, devotion to family, trust in our Lord, and kindness toward others, will continue to guide those she leaves behind. Though she will be deeply missed, her spirit lives on in the countless prayers she offered, the love she gave so freely, and the lives she so beautifully touched.

Arrangements are under the direction of Hillside Funeral Home, 310 Hillside Road. Please sign the guestbook and/or send private condolences at www.hillsidefuneral.com