Our beloved Elida Hernandez DeLeon., age 69, resident of Maxwell, Texas was called by our Heavenly Father on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. She was preceded in death by her loving baby boy, Jesse; parents, Salvador & Dolores Hernandez; brothers, Vernardo Hernandez, Raymond Hernandez & San Juan Hernandez; and grandson, Elijah Deleon. Elida DeLeon, affectionately known as Ellie, was a beautiful woman, inside and out. She was adored by her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and all other family that lived life with her. Ellie grew up in a large family, being one of sixteen children. She would share stories with her family of how she loved the sounds and feel of the old farm houses they lived in growing up. Her father, Salvador, picked cotton and had his army of children helping in the fields. Ellie would say it was hard work but that she always had a good time being out there with her siblings. Ellie favored her mother, Dolores, the most of all her sisters, not just in physical appearances, but in her mannerisms and gentleness. She spoke fondly of her mother and how she loved how she had the strength to care for such a large family. Growing up in Staples and attending Prairie Lea was another fond memory of Ellie’s. She would talk about her girlfriends, being with her sisters in class, and playing volleyball. She loved to sing and dance, especially to her oldies. When having a conversation with Ellie, she’d easily turn a phrase or a word in a sentence into a song she knew, twiddling her thumbs and moving her body to the beat with a smile on her face. Ellie fell in love as a teenager with a handsome young man from Martindale, Cristobal DeLeon. They eloped and began to grow their family surrounded by the love and support from the DeLeon’s. Ellie said she was so young when they married, so being around her sister-in-law's was like growing up with more sisters. Cristobal and Ellie raised five children in Martindale, making beautiful memories together. Hard, laborious work was never a task that scared Ellie. She worked in a nursing home as a cafeteria worker, as a housekeeper at Holiday Inn, and found her passion when she began working at C & J Greenhouses. Ellie had always loved having flowers growing in her gardens, so this job was a dream come true. Ellie managed that nursery for many years, and was later presented the opportunity to be a business owner of her own greenhouse. She proudly named it Ellie’s Greenhouse. Many memories were made there, not just from growing a successful business, but friendships with customers, a gathering place for celebrations, and a place to visit with Ellie. Ellie was the best listener. She would sit and listen to people’s problems without passing judgment, she’d provide comfort in uncertain times, and she cherished the trust her family and friends bestowed on her. Besides her accomplishments of raising a beautiful family and becoming a business owner, Ellie also held a seat as a City Councilwoman for the City of Martindale. She ventured with her husband to do uncomfortable and challenging things to be a good example to her children. Ellie will be remembered as the sweet, loving, beautiful woman we all knew. Her smile will glow in our memories and her laugh will be heard in our thoughts. To those that had the privilege to know her best, we know how lucky and blessed we are to have had her in our lives. Rest with our angels, Ellie. She is survived by her loving husband of 51yrs.; Cristobal DeLeon; sons, Jesse DeLeon & Kyla; Charles DeLeon & Christine, and Cristobal DeLeon Jr. & Stephanie; daughters, Sylvia Muzzy & Philip and Bonnie Hernandez & Atilano; grandchildren, Zachary DeLeon, Patrick DeLeon, Matthew DeLeon, Christian DeLeon, Chris Ryan DeLeon, Logan Brookshire, Lucas Brookshire, Jessie Beck, Annabelle Beck, Zoe Muzzy, Marcus Hernandez, and Alex Hernandez; great grandchildren, Jordan DeLeon, Evan DeLeon, Jasiah DeLeon, Ezra DeLeon, & Ellie Rae DeLeon and with other loving family and friends. DUE TO COVID-19 ... CERTAIN RULES STILL APPLY … Visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Thursday, May 7, 2020 with Recitation of Holy Rosary held at 7:00 p.m., Los Angeles Funeral Home, 300 Cheatham St., San Marcos, Texas. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 8, 2020 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church … 310 Lockhart St. … Martindale, Texas … Rev. Father Rafael Padilla will officiate. Interment will follow at San Isidro Cemetery in, Fentress, Texas. Serving as Pallbearers: Larry Baltierra, Thomas Eklund, Manuel Alvarez, Frank Rodriguez III Raymond DeLeon, Adam DeLeon, Stephen DeLeon, Elias DeLeon, and Adrian Esparza. Please visit www.losangelesfh.com to offer condolences and to send flowers.