Sulema Chapa

Sulema (Ochoa) Chapa passed away peacefully Saturday, July 17, 2021, at Live Oak Nursing Center in George West, Texas surrounded by her loving family. She was 86.

Sulema was born May 24, 1935 to Juan Ochoa and Anselma (Gomez) Ochoa in Alice, Texas. She spent her childhood there and later married Lucio Chapa and moved to George West. The two were united for 38 years and gratefully received four children during the marriage as a gift from God. She always had great faith in God. Her faith was tested in 1988 when she received the news that she had breast cancer. Her deep faith enabled her to see the power of God and she remained cancer free for the rest of her life which she believed to be a miracle. A hard worker, Sulema owned and operated Chapa’s EZ Wash Laundromat in George West for 30 years. She retired to enjoy time with family and friends and her favorite pastime was time spent with her sisters. Sulema was a devout Catholic and a parishioner of St. George Catholic Church. When she was not at church, she could be found at the church hall playing bingo. She also enjoyed cooking and dancing.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Juan and Anselma Ochoa; five brothers; and five sisters.

Left behind to treasure special memories of their “Meke, as she was lovingly known by her sisters, include Emilia (Jose) Vasquez and Esperanza Perez; as well as her two sons, Johnny (Lupe) Chapa and Joel (Letty) Chapa; and two daughters, Esmeralda (Louis) Cuevas and Gracie (Ronnie) Lane.

“Momo” will be missed by her 12 beloved grandchildren, Brandi, Joshua, Angie and Joel Chapa, Lee Lane, Sierra Cannon, Yvette and Cassandra Cuevas, Carrie Campos, Samantha Mata, Ysena Rangel and Bianca Morey; 25 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, at St. George Catholic Church with a Rosary at 7 o’clock.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 21, at St. George Catholic Church with Father Romeo Salinas officiating. Burial will follow at St. George Catholic Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Lee Lane, Ralph Lopez, Joel Chapa, R.J. Mata, Jacob Cannon and Adrian Fuentes.