Carmen Antonia Rivera Cordero, 96, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on October 1, 2024.
Visitation will be held Saturday, October 12, 2024 beginning at 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. service time at Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in Magnolia Cemetery all in Woodville. Officiating will be Deacon David Luther. Serving as pallbearers will be Carlos Cordero, Rafael Cordero, Christopher McCaw, Alex Cordero, Tony Cordero and Nicholas Cordero.
Carmen was born on January 9, 1928 to Gonzalo Rivera and Francisca Crespo Rivera in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. She and her husband, Jose Cordero moved from New Orleans, Louisiana to Woodville, Texas in 1960. Carmen was a devoted daughter, mother, spouse, and “Nana”. In Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...” Carmen blessed others with the fruits of the Spirit, she had a selfless dedication for helping others. She has left us with many beautiful and fun memories of cross-stitched mementos, dancing and playing with her grandchildren, sausage balls, “pink stuff”, fried chicken, red beans and rice, domino games, and Woodville get-togethers for birthdays, dogwood festivals & holidays. Carmen had a wonderful sense of humor. She would say, “Lord, take me!” It was a hilarious display of her faith. She was a such a funny lady who knew how to deliver a joke. She would leave our homes after a visit saying, three times without fail, “Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus.”! She was a joy to everyone. Vaya con Dios mom, little mama, nana and grandma.
Carmen was a dedicated Registered Nurse for 60 years. She worked as a charge nurse at Tyler County Hospital, where she started the LVN nursing program in 1966 and taught through 1986. She was passionate about teaching, and her students appreciated her kind and loving spirit. Carmen’s favorite place was at the patient’s bedside. In 2006, Carmen received the honor of being appointed as the biographical candidate to represent Woodville, Texas in the Empire Who’s Who Among Executive and Professional Women in Heathcare & Nursing.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gonzalo Rivera and Francisca Crespo Rivera; husband of 48 years, Jose Luis Cordero, Sr.; and son, Jose Luis Cordero, Jr.
She is survived by her daughters, Carmen Cordero McCaw, and Maria Teresa Cordero Jones Boedeker; sons, Rafael Cordero, and Carlos Cordero; treasured grandchildren, Jose Cordero III, Christopher McCaw, Laurien McCaw Salesberry, Erin McCaw Dankert, Austin Jones, Sarah Jones Burnett, Emily Jones Brown, Nicholas Cordero, Abigale Cordero, Jennie Cordero Meza, Tony Cordero, Alex Cordero, Kelsey Cordero, and 15 great grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
Services are under the direction of Stringer Griffin Funeral Home in Woodville. 462
