Rafaela Rodriguez Longoria

Rafaela Longoria, 75, of Boling, passed away on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at a Richmond hospital. She was born on January 11, 1950, in New Gulf, Texas to the late Nieves and Leonor Trevino Rodriguez.

Rafaela was raised in New Gulf and graduated from Boling High School with the class of 1968. She later attended Wharton County Junior College. She loved working at Alex’s Café in Boling and later worked as a substitute teacher and ESL aide for Bay City ISD. She married Juan Longoria. He preceded her in death on October 16, 2024. Rafaela enjoyed reading, fishing, watching sports, shopping, a good round of golf and going out to eat. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Nieves Rodriguez, Jr, and Arturo Rodriguez, sister-in-law, Rosemary Rodriguez, nephew, Arturo Rodriguez, II “Mijo” and stepdaughter, Kayla Sanchez.

Rafaela is survived by her sister, Andrea Ramirez and husband, Andres of Richmond, brothers, Servando “Rod” Rodriguez and wife, Melba of Boling, Ramiro “Randy” Rodriguez and wife, Connie of El Campo, and Michael Rodriguez and wife, Michele of Boling, sister-in-law, Mary Helen Rodriguez of Richmond, step daughters, Darla Ortiz and husband, Matt of Bay City, Tanya Guerrero and husband, Tiofilo “Curly” of Buda, Starr Cruz and husband, James of Kyle, Crystal Zepeda and husband David, step son, Ryan Longoria of Blessing, nieces and nephews, Rodney Rodriguez and wife, Melissa, Alfred Rodriguez and wife Suzanne, and Joey Rodriguez and wife, Rebecca, Sylvia Teeple and husband, Steve, Veronica Mares and husband, Jose, Mark Rodriguez, Jessica DeLeon and husband, Steven, Jason Rodriguez and Valarie Serrano, Nicole Boysen and husband, husband Jared, Nicholas Rodriguez and Molly Burges, Destiny Martinez, Amanda Ramirez, Dominique Rodriguez and Lance Lopez and Vincent Rodriguez, and 34 step grandchildren and many step great grandchildren and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held after 5 pm on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the Chapel of Wharton Funeral Home with a rosary recited at 7pm. Funeral Mass and Rite of Committal will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 10 am at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Wharton with Fr. Antonio Perez celebrating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery in Wharton. Serving as pallbearers will be Jason Rodriguez, Nicholas Rodriguez, Vincent Rodriguez, Rodney Rodriguez, Alfred Rodriguez, Joey Rodriguez and Mark Rodriguez.

Funeral services are under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at whartonfuneralhome.com.