Elisa L. Gomez

Elisa Licha Lara Gomez passed away on October 17, 2020 at UMC Hospital in Lubbock Texas. She was the wife of the late Leroy Fortino Gomez. They were married on June 4, 1971 and shared 45 wonderful years together. Elsie was born on September 27, 1932 in Ralls, Texas to Pedro and Dolores Lara. Her education was limited, but what she learned got her through everything life had to offer. Among these things, she learned to drive at an early age and traveled all over the United States and Mexico. Her jobs included working in the fields harvesting many fruits and vegetables. In the 50’s she worked in a chicken distribution center and then went on to work at a laundry/dry cleaners where she picked up and delivered to customers. Later on in her life, she loved reading the Bible and getting dressed up to go to church in her scooter. The church was 1/2 a block away. Elsie was also a very talented singer and guitar player and even wrote some poems: this one was written sometime in the 90’s:

Siento hambre

Siento frio

Lejos de mi hogar estoy

Ire con mi madre hoy?

O como hela el rocio

La noche espumando va

El sol no tardara en salir

Y si me vuelvo a dormir

Quisa no dispierto ya!

By Licha

She will be dearly missed for the loving grandmother, great grandmother, and great great-grandmother that she was.

Before she became disabled, she worked as a cook for the Boys Scouts Club at Possum Kingdom. She loved cooking and making up her own recipes! She made many mistakes in her life, but she always had the courage to admit them and never made excuses for herself.

Elsie is survived by 8 children: Norma Juarez (Benito Juarez), Roy Rodriguez (Becky Rodriguez) David Castro, Phil Gamboa, Peter Gamboa (Paula Gamboa) Dolores Emler (Joe Emler) Mark Hernandez, and Kianna Sampayo (Freddy Sampayo). Elsie had 23 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband Leroy Fortino Gomez, her son Ruben Perez, her parents Pedro and Dolores Lara, and all her siblings, Raphael, Luz, Mauro, Margarita, Flora, Dora, Enrique and Amalia. Elsie was the last of the siblings.