Amelia C. Perez

On December 31, 2021, Amelia "Emily" Castaneda Perez - beloved wife, mom, grandmother, and great/great-great grandmother - left this world to be with her Heavenly Father. Emily was born on August 15, 1938 in San Antonio, daughter of Alberto Castaneda and Victoria Borrego Castaneda. She was the third of 11 siblings: Rita Castaneda (Amarillo, TX), Jesusa Garza (Lubbock, TX), Albert Castaneda (Lubbock, TX), Juan Castaneda (Atlanta, GA), Elvira Garza (Lubbock, TX), Rosa Lyga (Forney, TX), Frank Castaneda (Lubbock, TX), Lupe Castaneda (Brownfield, TX), Victor Castaneda (Grandbury, TX), and Janie Gutierrez (Forney, TX).

Emily married her sweetheart, Eutimio "Tim" Perez, Sr. (deceased), on January 26, 1954 in San Antonio. They were married for 53 years. They had six children: Angel Perez (Lubbock, TX), Alice Perez (Lubbock, TX), Eutimio "Tim" Perez, Jr. (Wolfforth, TX), Cynthia Perez Hernandez, Frank Perez (Wolfforth, TX), and Sylvia Perez. Emily was a loving and dedicated matriarch to her large family which includes 23 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. She was also loved by many nieces and nephews. Emily's recent years were spent as a companion to Guillermo "Willie" Sierra of Lubbock, TX.

Emily was a devoted member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Lubbock, TX. Along with raising her family, she owned and operated Emily's Tortilla Factory in Lubbock. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, crocheting, sewing, singing, dancing and she enjoyed playing her music.
Prior to the pandemic, Emily hosted holiday parties which kept her family connected, and showered with her love and tamales. Though she was feisty and strong-willed, Emily was a beautiful person inside and out who loved very deeply. She was an amazing person who showed a lot of love for everyone. Emily could light up a room with her smile. Her laughter and passion for life will be missed dearly by all who knew her.

Viewing hours for Emily will be on Friday, Jan. 14 from 3:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Guajardo Funeral Chapels, 407 N. University Ave., Lubbock, TX 79415. Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Jan. 14th at Guajardo Funeral Chapels. Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 3111 Erskine St., Lubbock, TX 79415. Burial will take place afterward at Lubbock Cemetery, 2011 E. 31st St, Lubbock, TX 79404.