Emilio and Alama enjoyed the rural country life, making their home on their ranch in Natalia, Texas. They enjoyed raising cattle, attending St. John Bosco Catholic Church and being a part of their church family and participating in community events.
Alma Lopez Cavazos of Natalia passed away on Monday, August 11 and is being remembered not only for her trailblazing career and service to her community, but for her kindness, strength, love for everyone, and unwavering belief in justice. She leaves behind a legacy that will inspire generations to come. She was laid to rest last weekend on Sunday, September 5th.
“Alma Lopez Cavazos was the very first Hispanic female elected Chief Justice of an Appellate Court in the United States. She lived here in Natalia with her husband Emilio Cavazos where they loved raising cattle, attending church, and being a part of the community of Natalia for the past 30 plus years”, said friend Ruby Vera. “I enjoyed working with her on her campaigns and admired her willingness to help those in need of advice anytime she was asked. She was a role model for all women and leader”.
“Alma was the first Municipal Court Judge to serve when the Natalia Police Department was formed in 1995,” said Vera. “She specialized in immigration and family law”.
Encouraged by her law school friend Frank Herrera, Alma pursued a judgeship. He secured a meeting with Governor Ann Richards resulting in Alma’s historic appointment in 1993 making her the first Hispanic woman to serve on the Fourth Court of Appeals and only the second in the United States to serve on an appellate court. She was later elected chief justice, becoming the first Hispanic woman to be elected chief justice of an appellate court in the United States and highest-ranking justice on the first all-female appeals court in the United States. She served with distinction until her retirement in 2008.
Alma Lopez Cavazos’ full history and service can be viewed on the obituary page.
