4 years ago

Manuela Tijerina Pineda
1925 - 2021

Manuela Tijerina Pineda, age 96, longtime resident of Mangum, Okla., passed away on Thursday, May 6, 2021 in Lawton, Okla. surrounded by her loving family.

Manuela was born on March 23, 1925 in Karnes City, Texas to Amalia and Manuel Tijerina.
In 1946, she was married to Augustine Molina in Three Rivers, Texas. Mr. Molina passed away in 1952. Manuela married Otilio Pineda in 1959 in Mathis, Texas and the family moved to Mangum in 1962.

Manuela was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She had a big heart and selflessly dedicated her life to loving and caring for her large family. Manuela enjoyed cooking, sewing, quilting, gardening and going to garage sales. She shared her love for food and cooking by always making sure that anyone who came to visit had something to eat. Manuela was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church for many years. Her home in Mangum was the site for many huge family gatherings during the holidays and special occasions. One of her wishes before passing was that she would love for her family to continue this tradition. Her grandchildren called her “Lita” and as her family continued to grow, she became “Lita” to everyone.

Manuela made it a point to keep in contact with her siblings and other members of her extended family and was known as “Tia Meme” to her nieces and nephews. Throughout her life, she was accompanied by two of her beloved children, Juanita and Santos, who devoted their entire lives to caring for her. Manuela had a wonderful sense of humor and continued to make everyone laugh up until her final days. Her children will forever be grateful to everyone who was a part of her life and to the staff of Elara Caring, especially Amelia, Alicia and Brenda, for the loving attention they gave to Manuela.

Manuela is preceded in death by her parents; six siblings, Eulojio Tijerina, Eduardo Tijerina, Trinidad Ortega, Maria Tijerina, Jovita Yruegas and Marina Hernandez; her first spouse, Augustine Molina, and her second spouse, Otilio Pineda; three daughters, Olga Molina, Maria Guadalupe Molina Pineda and Lupe Pineda.

She is survived by 13 children, Damiana Herrera of Mathis, Armando Pineda and Christa Parenteau of Mangum, Delores and Gregory Esparza of Mangum, Natividad (Joe) and Cecilia Pineda of Mangum, Juanita and Bob Hamilton of Alamo, Texas, Juanita Molina of Mangum, Santos Molina of Mangum, Rufina Gonzalez of Panhandle, Texas, Ascension and David Ricketts of Choctaw, Okla.; Rose Mary and Ricky Sauseda of Lawton, Flora Tijerina Pineda and Gerry Chavez of Lawton, Raymond Pineda of Mangum, Nicky and Mitchell Bennett of Higginsville, Mo. She is also survived by 39 grandchildren; 70 great-grandchildren (plus 2 on the way); and 48 great-great grandchildren (plus 1 on the way).

A Rosary will be held at 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 9, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mangum. Funeral Mass for Manuela Pineda will be held on Monday, May 10, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Interment to follow at Roselawn Cemetery, in Mangum, with services under the direction of Greer Funeral Home of Mangum.

Online tributes may be made to the family at www.GreerFuneral.com. Donations in honor of Manuela may be made to the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan Del Valle National Shrine, PO Box 747, San Juan TX 78589.