Manuela Cantu Mendez

Rev. Manuela “Mela” Cantu Mendez, Pastora went to her eternal home with our Heavenly Father on December 7, 2023, at the age of 79.

She was born in General Bravo Nuevo León, Mexico on October 5, 1944. She met the love of her life at the Fiesta Del Rancho in Concepcion, Texas and they were married on August 2, 1969 and began their life together in Corpus Christi, Texas. She began serving the Lord after the death of her youngest child. She became certified to be a Pastor and opened her church Iglesia Filipenses 4:13 where she served as Rev. Mendez, Pastora for 26 years. Her life was marked with hard work, faith, independence, and determination, as well as a caring heart, always ready to help and pray for others in need.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Domingo G. Mendez; children, Domingo Mendez Jr., Marivel Mendez, and Miguel Angel Mendez; parents, Antonio Cantu and Enriqueta Salinas; siblings, Perciliano Cantu and Abel Cantu; and brother-in-law, Ismael Gonzalez.

She is survived by her daughters, Dinora Mendez, Lorie Angel (David Lopez) Mancilla, and Angel Nicole (Alfredo) Mireles; great-grandchildren, Luis Alberto Napoles Jr., Michael Anthony Ybanez Jr., Lilliana Melanie Mireles, Annaleah Angel Mireles, and Mirea Averie Lopez; siblings, Inez (Jose) Garza, Rev. Gloria Gonzalez, Pastora, and Hernan (Magda) Cantu; and several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

The Family will receive condolences on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at Treviño Funeral Home, 3006 Niagara St. @ Port Ave from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM; with a Prayer Service to be held at 7:00 PM. A Funeral Service will begin at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at Treviño Funeral Home followed by burial at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery at 11:00 AM.

To leave your condolences for the family of Rev. Manuela “Mela” Cantu Mendez, Pastora, share your memories, or visit her tribute wall, please go to www.trevinofuneralhome.net.