Frances V. Quintero

Beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother, Tomasa Francisca “Frances” Villanueva Quintero entered her well-deserved rest at the age of 91 on Wednesday December 17, 2025, at Methodist TexSan Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. She was born on September 18, 1934, in Muldoon, Texas to the late Porfirio Torres Villanueva and the late Maria Dolores Rivera Villanueva, the fourth of 10 children who survived into adulthood. As the child of migrant farm workers, she grew up in rural Fayette County and attended Flatonia public schools as the necessities of work allowed. In September 1953 she married Louis Quintero and they made their home in Waelder.

What she lacked in formal education, she more than counter-balanced with a boundless life-long curiosity to grow her unshakeable faith. That faith was evident when she shared stories of walking through the countryside with her sisters to attend mass in Hostyn. Later, after marrying she found a new family as a devout member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Waelder. Ever the lady, she immediately endeared herself to all and throughout her life cherished the friendships she formed. No stranger to hard work she was especially proud of her commitment to the Guadalupanas Society of St. Patrick’s and her personal volunteer efforts for that parish. Her spiritual journey compelled her to become part of the Cursillo apostolic movement in 1981. That foundation as a Cursillista brought her great joy that later lead her to the ACTS movement in 2013. That faith is the cherished legacy she passed on to her family.

Our Mother was sentimental, and her life was full of keepsakes. She placed great value on objects made from the heart: a Boy Scout project from one of her sons, a hand-drawn Mother’s Day card from a grandchild, a holiday dessert that a daughter or granddaughter made to satisfy her sweet tooth, or any art project her children brought home. Our Mother was very caring and when she heard someone had a worry, it stayed with her until she contemplated a solution which she would generously offer. Her love of family translated into a legendary talent as a cook enabling her to make the simplest dish into a memorable delicacy. She especially loved making and eating tamales. People would come from all over to enjoy them. In later years, when a conversation shifted to that subject, she would have to try them and promptly give her critique. Her creativity and resourcefulness made her a gifted seamstress, and she lent that talent to creating baby clothes, a first Communion dress, Halloween costumes or an angel robe for a Christmas pageant.

Despite personal hardships, she remained a happy person. She possessed a quick wit and a sense of humor that could leave you doubled over laughing with her dry observations and joking. Kind and generous to a fault, she was always ready to engage in conversation. She enjoyed her gambling trips to Las Vegas, Coushatta and day-long casino cruises. Running an errand was not complete without stopping for Texas Lottery scratch-off tickets. Where that was concerned, she always aimed for the stars. While going through her things we recently came across a small white envelope where she would safely store her Power Ball tickets when the jackpot made the investment worth playing.

As the years progressed, she saw her universe shrinking with the inevitable passing of friends and loved ones. She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents, her oldest brother, her daughter Beatrice, and in quick succession during recent years four of her beloved sisters. In April 2025 she sustained perhaps the greatest blow with the loss of her first grandson, Joseph Andrew Quintero. When she was peacefully called home, her loving family surrounded her and echoed prayers for her spirit to be conveyed into our Lord’s everlasting arms.

Affectionately called Tita by her grandchildren, she played many important roles to different people: wife, devoted daughter, sister, Mommy, sweet aunt Yaya, cousin, fellow Christian working tirelessly for her heavenly reward. Mrs. Quintero is survived by her children: oldest son Robert Quintero of Telferner, Texas; her daughter Delores Martinez (Gilbert) of Waelder; her son John Michael Quintero of Waelder; her daughter Sophia Quintero of Flatonia and son Faron Quintero (Joe) of San Antonio; her sister, Teodora Tobar of La Grange; her brother, Martin Villanueva (Juanita) of La Grange; her sister, Acencion “Connie” Morales (Francisco) of La Grange; and her sister Juanita Herrera (George) of Smithville, Texas. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. She also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews, all of whom adored her.

Arrangements are under the care of Smith Funeral Home in Flatonia. The family will receive guests beginning at 11AM on Saturday January 3, 2026 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Parish Hall (600 US Hwy 90 Waelder, Texas 78959) for lunch and fellowship. Rosary will follow at 1:30PM in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (adjacent to the parish hall) with mass of the resurrection celebrated at 2PM officiated by Fr. Carlos Velasquez. Interment will follow at Waelder Community Cemetery.

Mrs. Quintero’s great-grandchildren will serve as pallbearers: Joaquin Quintero, Jr., JD Martinez, Felipe Martinez, Abel Martinez, Carlos Martinez, Domingo Garcia, Ricky Garcia, Savian Quintero and Shilah Dean and honorary pallbearers, Zach Ramirez and Brayden Wilson.

Her loss leaves a chasm inside us all.

The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers and kind words during this difficult time. Thank you to all the medical professionals of Well-Med, San Antonio Renal Associates and South Texas Oncology and Hematology as we navigated our mother’s well-being during her final years. Thank you to the homebound Eucharistic ministry of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in San Antonio. Their weekly visits to administer Holy Communion were valuable in helping our mother stay connected to her faith. Thank you to the staff of Alegre Home Health Agency, especially to Ms. Terry Elizardo and Ms. Diana Castillo for the indispensable and love-filled in-home care you provided. Your willingness to go above and beyond for her will always be appreciated.