Rafaela "Rafel" Ramirez Barrera Toro, 73, of Hallettsville went to be with the Lord on July 11, 2021, during a brief stay at Schulenburg Recency Nursing Center under Hospice care.  She was born on July 28, 1947, to the late Santos and Florence Flores Ramirez in Glen Flora, Texas.

Rafaela loved listening to music, especially her polkas, dancing, and spending time with her family.  Her kids and grandkids were the love of her life.  She was quick to remind them how proud she was of them all. Her love and pride of her family was always evident by her doating over them, at times offering them her last dollar if they were in need.

Rafaela loved unconditionally.  She was a loving and caring person, a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend always thinking of others before herself.  She never met a stranger and would open her home during the holidays for anyone who did not have a place to go.  In the years preceding her failing health, she always had a stack of homemade tortillas on the table which included a "baby" tortilla, to top the stack, for the youngest grandchild at the time.

Rafaela worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant for over 30 years until her health failed.  She held each and every patient and resident in high regard and treated them with dignity, respect, kindness and compassion.

Rafaela is survived by:  her daughter and son-in-law, Diana & Eric Mason of Riverbank, CA; son and daughter-in-law, Billy & Audrey Barrera of Hallettsville; grandchildren, Derrick Barrera of Houston, TX, Brandi Gardiner of Riverbank, CA, Samuel Barrera of Bryan, TX, and Sylas Barrera of Hallettsville; sisters, Sarah Gutierrez and Irene Gutierrez both of Hallettsville; numerous nieces and nephews.

Rafaela was preceded in death by:  her parents; daughter Darlene Sue Barrera; sister Trina Cedillo; brothers, Chris Ramirez and (Infant) Manuel Ramirez.

Memorial Funeral Service: 11 am, Saturday, August 21, 2021, at Kubena Funeral Home with visitation at 10:00 a.m. Graveside will follow at the Hallettsville Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.  All friends and family are welcome.  The service will be conducted by Reverend Lamarr Davenport, family friend. Memorial contributions :  may be given to Hospice of South Texas on-line at www.hospice-vic.org or mailed to 306 N. Texana St., Hallettsville, TX 77964.

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Hospice of South Texas; Schulenburg Regency Nursing Center; Dr. Morgan Heck and Lavaca Family Health Clinic; and Lupe Reyes.