Zapata

Mrs. Zapata

Balvina “Helen” Morales Zapata, 85, of Rockdale, died Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple.

A funeral mass was held Monday, July 10, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Chu r c h i n Rockdale with Father Pedro Castillo officiating. Burial followed at St. Joseph Cemetery in Rockdale.

A visitation with a rosary at was held Sunday, July 9, at Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Rockdale.

Mrs. Zapata was born on March 30, 1938, to Andres and Jovita (Vasquez) Morales in Thorndale.

On Sept. 8, 1954, she eloped and married Irine “Nehi” Zapata and they moved to Rockdale.

She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, the Ladies Altar Society and the Guadalupanas Society. She was also very active with the Knights of Columbus.

Mrs. Zapata was preceded in death by her husband, Irineo Zapata; a grandson, Kevin Zapata; her parents, Andres and Jovita Morales; and two sisters, Rosa Ortega and Lupe Torres.

Survivors are her sons, Tony Zapata and wife Lollie of Tyler, Eddie Zapata and wife Lotti of Round Rock, Jeff Zapata and wife Kelley of Rockdale; her grandchildren, Amanda Thompson and husband Andrew, Jason Zapata and wife Kristen, Aaron Zapata, Jenny Breithaupt and husband Justin; her great-grandchildren, Manuel Thompson, Karley Breithaupt, Kaleb Breithaupt, Hayden Zapata and Olivia Zapata; four sisters, Margaret Morales, Janie Morales and Annie Dominguez, all of Taylor, Mary Hinostroza of San Gabriel; and a brother, Mike Morales of Taylor.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Altar Society or Building Fund, or the Knights of Columbus.