Otilia Zamora
A delta area pioneer and trailblazer from Elsa, Texas, Mrs. Tila Zamora, born Rodriguez, passed from this life into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, September 06, 2017 at her residence in Elsa, TX. Mrs. Zamora was born north of Mission, Texas in 1917. During World War II, Tila volunteered to be an airplane observer and she also volunteered with the American Red Cross. After the war, she decided to go to beauty school where she earned diplomas that enabled her to open Tila's Beauty Salon in Elsa. Later, she was the Elsa Head Start Director where she had a passion for helping young children.
Tila was a civic and political leader in the Delta area. She was also involved in county, state and national politics. She had personal contacts with leaders like Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson, Allan Shivers and Kika de la Garza, among others. She has been recognized in the Rio Grande Valley as a political leader as well as a humanitarian and philanthropist. Tila knew everyone and everyone knew her. If anyone needed anything done in Elsa, they knew to call Tila. She made things happen. ...[more]
View Full Online Obituary and Tributes
ngs happen. She never met a stranger, and she believed in equality and making things right for everyone. She was known for showing love via her cooking skills, especially Tila's tamales.
In 1935, Tila married Ben Zamora, the only pharmacist in Elsa, who predeceased her along with her grandsons, Michael Cope and Rick Zamora, and her long-time friend, Gora Longoria. She is survived by children Rosie; Richard; Eddie (Melody) and Art (Michele) Zamora, and grandchildren Diane Cope Cunningham, Rebecca (Scott) Wierda, Melodie (Bob) Summersett, Debbie Dawdy, Eddie (Soraya) Zamora Jr., Cindy (Robbie) Huttenhower, Nick (Kendall) Zamora, Alex Zamora, and Dina Hancox. She is also survived by 20 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, numerous nieces, nephews, half brothers and sisters, and friends, all of whom she loved dearly.
Tila's family wishes to sincerely thank her caregivers for their amazing love and compassion, especially in this last year. Memorial contributions may be made to the Tila Zamora Endowed Scholarship fund at www.tilfoundation.org or by check mailed to TILF, PO Box 151027, Austin, TX 78715.
Visitation will be Friday, September 08, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Guerra Funeral Home "Chapel of the Angels"
Visitation will continue Saturday, September 9, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Chapel service will at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 9, 2017 at Guerra Funeral Home of Elsa, TX. Interment will follow to Highland Memorial Park of Weslaco, TX.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Guerra Funeral Home of Elsa, TX.
