Yolanda Arjona

HOUSTON - Yolanda Arjona, 77, entered eternal rest on Friday, August 25, 2023, in Houston. Ms. Arjona was preceded in death by her parents, Trinidad and Maria Arevalo; four siblings, Angelica Guzman, Trinidad Arevalo Jr., Arnoldo Arevalo, and Rolando Arevalo.

Yolanda Arevalo Arjona. What is in a name? But a legacy that can live on. 

Yolanda Arevalo Arjona. Daughter - Sister - Wife - Mother - Friend - Grandmother… Titles she wore with pride and love. Though not the first born, she was looked upon by her younger siblings as their second mother. She loved her brothers and sisters with the fierceness of a lioness and continued to carry that love and energy when she married and had a family of her own. The first thirty of her years were filled with adventure and travels. A free spirit with a spark of fire in her eyes, she challenged social norms and was a force to be reckoned with. Adapting and overcoming struggles alongside her family as migrant workers in the 50’s and 60’s Yolanda didn’t stand idly by as her brothers hauled fruits and veggies from California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho to Texas, she pitched in and learned how to drive the half tons and farmland machinery ensuring the work got done, the family got paid and everyone had food to eat and a place to stay.

As she transitioned from being the single fire power that she was into wife and motherhood she took on more domestic roles so that she could be there for her children as they traversed the maze of life. She became a florist, loving flowers and roses like her own mother and then trained to become a cosmetologist cutting hair at salons that she either partnered in or owned on her own. She continued to blaze trails and break glass ceilings as the prime example of feminism and woman empowerment to her daughter and sons. She wanted her family to see that if you put your mind and will to it, you can accomplish anything you desire. She went so far as to attend night school in the early 90’s to achieve her GED, much to the chagrin of her daughter who was also in night school at the time.  

When her youngest child graduated high school Yolanda found herself with a freedom she had not felt in a long time. She was once again in total control of her life and choices and she chose to become the best grandmother she knew to be. She loved every single one of her grandchildren and made it her goal that they would not have the need to “want for anything”. She was first graced with Christopher and Daniella Arjona. She sacrificed her time to be as available for them as humanly possible, never considering her grandbabies as burdens. It was not babysitting as she saw it, but as a gift to spend the time with her children’s children and to be a positive example in their lives. She even packed herself up and moved from San Juan Texas to San Diego California in 2007 to help her single mother daughter raise a child of her own. Grandmother and grandchild inseparable and thick as thieves, stealing moments at Denny’s and eating and enjoying french fries. Torn between the distance of her grandbabies Yolanda never realized that she would travel as much in her 60’s as she did when she was in her 20’s. Yet once again she started a cycle of being there for her grandchildren when there was a need. From California to Washington to Virginia, Yolanda was as ready as Mary Poppins when the wind called to her. 

Though her time here on earth was drawing near, she continued to try and be there for her family. From secretly making barbacoa for her grandson to making tamales on New Years (even though she was very tired), the only way she was ever going to stop was when the Lord said it was time, that she had done enough, loved enough, endured enough. 

Like ships lost out at sea, our beacon of light seemingly distinguished, we need not fear. Yolanda is still with us. Breathe in and remember all that you learned from her; and then look up into that night sky ~ she is the stars… still guiding you on your personal journey. 

Funeral services are under the direction of Legacy Chapels in Edinburg.