Frances Ortega Menchaca

Frances Menchaca passed away peacefully Saturday, July 31, 2021 at her home in Gatesville. She was 87 years old. Services will be held virtually Via Zoom on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 2:00 pm, with her nephew, Kenneth D. Veazey officiating. To view services Via Zoom, ID #813 2434 1344 and passcode, 872021. The Zoom app can be downloaded in your carriers app store. 

Frances was born on August 17, 1933, in Gatesville to Lee Ortega Sr. and Anita Fernandez Ortega. Growing up she was very attentive to helping her family and others. She could light up a room with her smile and her loving disposition. Growing up with so many brothers and sisters was the joy of her life! She could tell stories that would either keep you laughing or crying. Family always came first! She never met a stranger and was always willing to help her family and others.

She began working at a very early age in Waco in the retail clothing business, as she always held a managerial position wherever she worked. After 15 years of traveling to Waco, she was hired as the General Merchandising Manager at HEB in Gatesville, opening the Store in 1969. She worked in that capacity for almost four decades. She was loved by all her customers, who always looked for her to assist them in whatever they needed. She made many lifelong priceless friendships, both long-standing and new, while working at HEB. HEB was her enjoyment and never complained about having to work long hours. She traveled many a night to assist in other HEB locations throughout Central Texas.

Frances then branched out into the Real Estate Market here in Gatesville. She was very skillful at being able to negotiate for properties and find tenants who just needed someone to believe in them and extend a helping hand. To say she had a very big heart would be an understatement. She had a truly generous spirit.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Anita Ortega; two brothers, Raymond and Johnny Ortega; two sisters, Sarah Garcia and husband, Louis, and Rachel Ortega; brother-in-law, Kenneth N. Veazey.

Frances is survived by her husband of 32 years, Ray Menchaca; daughter, Cynthia Bond (Ronnie); son, Milton Maxwell (Marcella); stepdaughter, Monica Menchaca; grandsons, Matthew Bond (Stephanie), Aaron Bond (Leina); granddaughters, Jaqueline Raney (David), and Victoria Obenland (Timothy); great-granddaughters, Brittany Bond, Alexis Bond, Maddison Bond, Liliuokalani Bond, Makena Bond and Annabelle Obenland; and one great-grandson, Grayson Obenland.

Other surviving family members include, Jesse Ortega (Rosie), Gilbert Ortega (Harriett), Lee Ortega Jr. (Hilda) and Daniel Ortega (Cecile); sisters, Leonora Esparza (Lupe), and Gloria Veazey. She had so many nieces and nephews which were all very “special” to her! And many spiritual brothers and sisters.

Frances was very proud to be one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Frances was baptized at Cowboy Stadium in Arlington at an International Convention on June 28, 2014 where she was one of hundreds to be baptized that day. She loved talking about the Bible and hope for the future. She always shared her conviction with anyone she talked to, in person or on the phone. Her most treasured thoughts were about the resurrection hope which she believed with all her heart and looks forward to that day to be reunited with her family and friends according to the scripture found at John 11:25, which says, Jesus said to Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life.” Her hope was to enjoy that life forever on a paradise earth that Jesus promised. Until that day comes, she is resting peacefully in Jehovah’s memory. Despite her illness, Frances kept a very positive attitude and a beautiful example for her family and friends to imitate.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to jw.org.