"God bless this beautiful woman. My prayers are with the family. Wanda Friske Lentz"
In loving memory of
Maria Inez Salas
October 6, 1930 - October 16, 2020
TO INEZ RAMOS SALAS: A Love letter from your Salas and Ramos family,
You went to our heavenly Father to join your mother, father and husband on October 16th, 2020, ten days after your 90th birthday.
When your occupation was asked of us at the funeral home, and the suggested reply was "Homemaker", we hesitated. Never has one word been simultaneously both so on and off target. You were so much more to your children, parents, brothers, grandchildren, nieces and nephews...the combined Salas and Ramos Clan. The word MATRIARCH seemed a better fit.
Part of the definition of the term Matriarch, states: "a Woman who defines motherhood, determines condition of motherhood, and determines the environment and discipline in which the next generation is reared. Expand that to include your role as caregiver, counselor and even disciplinarian to your five younger brothers in helping your beloved Mama, and your picture would be in the dictionary next to the words. Your brothers, Elijio, Alfonso and Rogelio (Pia) Ramos, who passed before you, and your living brothers Ruben and Joe all loved and revered you. And they, as they have said, first experienced, before your seven children did, your determination to have them succeed and stay on the right road, with your ever-present discipline, protectiveness and support as you did so. Abusive 6' 3" football coaches cowered when lambasted by you.
It was to all of our benefit that your early career in the 1940's as the lead singer for your uncles' 'orquesta' - Justin Perez and the Ex-Gi's - was lovingly interrupted by meeting and marrying the love of your life, Juan Salas, in 1950, and starting a family. Even so, your accomplishment and talent was recognized and the story made permanent in 2014 by the Austin History Center's "Voces de Latinas - In the Shadows of the Music Capital of the World" exhibit. The fact that you resumed performing with your Tejano Hall of Fame and Grammy Award-winning brothers almost 50 years later attests to your love of music and your fans.
Your sweet smile, never-ending compliments and never-ending stream of songs coming from you until the end uplifted all in your presence. It is no wonder that Professors and students you served in the cafeteria at the University of Texas in the 1940's all were kind and made a lifelong impression on you. How many of us have heard you say "that's a pretty blouse/shirt! I want one like that!", as I am sure those students did?
To your seven children, you were all of the above. Most of all, you were a never-ending supporter and driving force for them to obtain that which had been denied you while in the fields of Sugar Land Texas...AN EDUCATION. All seven of us worked in middle and high school, often late into the night to help support the family ... and you were always there up late, sitting with us as we completed homework into the wee hours, with bleary eyes after your own long days. Though we lived in the barrio and according to the U.S. Census bureau the Hispanic dropout rate from 1967 -1990 averaged 38-40%, compared to 9% for White-non Hispanics, - ALL seven of us graduated from high school, despite battling the vagaries and difficulties of segregated schools and busing. You inspired us to further our education, with multiple University of Texas students and degrees in the bunch.
AND...you went and earned your GED in your 60's while working as a Teacher's Aid ...your dream. Teaching by example, walking the talk.
Bye Mom, Sis, Tia, Grandma, Prima. Juan has been saving "Un Rinconcito en el Cielo" for you. Thanks for teaching us all to be independent but to still care for each other's well being as much as our own.
We love you,
Your Salas and Ramos Clan
Inez Ramos Salas was predeceased by her Parents, Elvira and Alfonso Ramos Sr.; daughter, Susan Salas Davila; and brothers Elijio, Alfonso Jr., and Rogelio (Pia).
She is survived by her children, John R. Salas Jr. (Olga), Josephine Lara (Agustin), J. James Salas (Marti), Judith Sullings (Mike), Joanie Halsell (Bill), and J. Elijio Salas (Teresa); her brothers, Ruben Ramos (Tina), and Joe Ramos (Cynthia); and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Serving as Pallbearers are Joseph Ramos, Gabriel Davila, Judith Emma Salas, Olivia Luz Sullings, Chris Hannigan, and Nicholas Salas.
Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at Harrell Funeral Home, 4435 Frontier Trail, Austin, TX. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be 10:00 AM on Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church; following will be the Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Assumption Cemetery.
Links:
Video of Inez Ramos Salas performing with her brothers circa 2000:
https://youtu.be/KhlxUtzv5UY
Austin History Center posting on Inez Ramos Salas:
https://www.facebook.com/AustinHistoryCenter/videos/689177594457753
Tributes
"I had just turned 40 and recently met my new boss John. The first time I met his beautiful mother was when I brought him home after a long business meeting at the local drinking establishment. It was around 4:00 in the morning and we were greeted at the front door with hugs and hello?s by mom. She made me come in and insisted she make us something to eat. My introduction to deep family love. Lord please bless her and keep her close. One of your best creations... Norm Cote"
"To all her family and friends, our sincere love and condolences. I am so very sorry we could not attend the services and celebrate Inez\'s wonderful life. But, I am grateful that we did know and love her all of our lives. Especially my mother, Josephine. When Inez accompanied my mom to Germany for my wedding, they had the best time and were often mistaken for sisters. When asked, Inez would smile and say, yes, we are as close as sisters and laugh and laugh. We were honored to have her there and to have her sing her famous rendition of Crazy. The wedding guests were blown away! I was so happy to see the many photos of her over the years in the video tribute. I especially loved the ones of her at the beach as those are some fond memories for me. Thank you for inviting my mother along those many years when the annual trips moved from Galveston to Padre. She cherished those trips with y\'all. She loved the big breakfasts. The obituary was wonderfully written, but I want to say that her children and grandchildren all reflect the loving and compassionate nature of the family as was evident over the years in the excellent care of both John and Inez. Momo hugs to you all! I know Uncle John, the White Man, came to accompany her to heaven to be with all that have gone before. I pray that you all are well and that we will get to be together soon. With much love, Joni Vasquez Hohmeier "
"Judith - Praying that you will be comforted by the outpouring of love from those who knew and cherished your mother. My deepest condolences."
"Judith: Lifting you and your family up in prayer ..."
"Our deepest condolences to the family. May Mrs. Salas Rest In Peace. We will miss seeing her on our trips to Austin. Mrs. Salas always made us feel special & happy to see us. She will be in our prayers. Hector & Esther Lara & family."
"Precious Inez, although I only met you a couple of times, I felt your warm and loving nature. I knew you through your daughter and my dear friend Josie, our long talks about our sweet mothers made it so clear the love your family has for you. You are truly a wonderful role model for each of them. I pray our Lord will comfort them in his loving arms."
"Our condolences to the family. She was such a wonderful person and we were blessed to know her. Tony & Delma Cobos and family. "
"Judith - Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time, we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Brett and Holly Beckett"
"Condolences to the Ramos Salas families! May she Rest In Peace! Manuel n Renee Ledesma "