Merced Castro Lopez, 89, of Fort Stockton, Texas, entered into eternal life on Jan. 22, 2022.

Viewing was held on Jan. 25, 2022, at Heritage Funeral Home of the Big Bend, followed by a rosary.

Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Jan. 26, 2022. Burial followed at Fort Stockton Catholic Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to Heritage Funeral Home of the Big Bend.

Merced was born on Sept. 24, 1932, in Sanderson, Texas, to Salvador and Senaida Castro. She attended school in Sanderson. On Aug. 2, 1946, Merced married Isauro E. Lopez in Sanderson. Merced and Isauro then made their home in Fort Stockton, where they had three children, Roman “Sonny,” Monica and Carlos.

Merced is survived by her children Roman C. “Sunny” Lopez and wife Sara, Monica L. Guzman, and Carlos C. Lopez and wife Martha; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and four great great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents Salvador and Senaida Castro; husband Isauro E. “Jimmy” Lopez; brothers Miguel Barrera, Mariano Castro, and Salvador Castro, Jr.; sisters Irene Rubio and Mariana Langford; and son-in-law Alfredo Guzman.

Merced enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, completing crossword puzzles, and spending time with her family. In her younger years, Merced was active member of the Guadalupanas Society of the Catholic Church. She was very family oriented, and cared deeply for all her family members. Her house was always open to anyone.

Pallbearers were her grandchildren Frankie Muniz, Jr., Alexus Quintana, Jazmine Guzman, Lorain Benavidez, Baldemar Lopez, and Israel Benavides.

The family of Merced Lopez would like to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Mallik and PCMH Home Health and Hospice for their compassion and caring hands, and to Heritage Funeral Home of the Big Bend.