Lydia Leonor Mercado

Mission - Lydia Leonor Mercado, age 94, passed peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024. Born to parents José and Clotilde Ramirez on June 15th, 1930, in Penitas, Texas, Lydia lived through the Great Depression, honing a strength and resilience in character which would serve her throughout the rest of her life. She moved to Abram in 1948 after marrying Armando Mercado, who fell in love with her upon their first meeting. The two would stay married and very much in love for 38 years to follow. Lydia worked most of her life in management at JCPenney and then Walmart, assisting in opening one of the very first in the Rio Grande Valley. She was a respected member of her community and church, St. Mary Magdalene, where multiple of her children would later marry. After raising her family, she returned to school to earn her GED. She worked hard to instill the importance of education, responsibility, and a spirit of excellence within all of her children who then followed in her footsteps by earning bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees. Her sons served as U.S. Marines and held various leadership positions within the state and federal government. Lydia Mercado, aside from her sharp wit and sparkling sense of humor, was also known for her legendary rice, beautiful plants, and immaculate style. Whether at work or home, she always looked like a million bucks, just as her late husband would often tell her. Lydia was a prayer warrior, and she poured her love into what she always considered her greatest accomplishment: her family. Lydia is survived by her children and their spouses: Juan and Mary Mercado, Armando Jr. and Leticia Mercado, Lupita and Jaime Villarreal, and Sylvia and Joe Vargas. She is also survived by ten loving grandchildren and multiple great grandchildren. As one of thirteen children herself, Lydia continues to live on through both older and younger siblings as well as her many nieces and nephews. Though she will be profoundly missed, Lydia Mercado will be steadily commemorated by her family, community, and the countless lives she touched. A visitation will be held Thursday, July 4, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM and a rosary reciting at 7:00 PM at Lord and I Funeral Home in Penitas, TX. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, July 5th, 2024, at 10:00 AM at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, W Military Rd., Abram, TX 78572 with a burial to follow at San Jose Cemetery in Abram, TX., for any and all who wish to join the family in honoring and celebrating the life of such a strong, beautiful soul. Arrangements are under the direction of The Lord and I Funeral Home – Penitas, Texas.

Lydia Leonor Mercado

June 15, 1930 - July 2, 2024