Celebrating 126 Years of Serving the communities of Devine, Natalia, Lytle, Bigfoot, and Moore in Medina, Frio, and Atascosa Counties
Celebrating the lives of the loved ones we’ve lost
September 6, 1964 — February 12, 2025
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Andres Sepulveda, who left us peacefully on February 12, 2025, at the age of 60. Born on September 6, 1964, Andres was a beloved husband, Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle, and friend whose kindness and generosity touched the lives of all who knew him.
Joe “Jody” Ornelas III, age 53, went to be with the Lord on February 7, 2025. We will miss him dearly and he will always be remembered for his generosity, cheerful personality and love of life attitude.
Joyce E. Crutchfield, a beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 17, 2025, at the age of 101. Born on September 2, 1923, in Devine, Texas, her life was a tapestry woven with love, resilience, and dedication to the Lord.
Karen Jenkins, 71, passed away on Sunday, January 5, 2025, at Christus Santa Rosa Westover Hills Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. She was born on July 2, 1953, in San Antonio, Texas.
Karen and Garry were married on June 21, 1969, in Pearsall, Texas. She had her Dietary Management and Activities certification for her positions at the Retama facilities and The Heights of Pleasanton, Texas where she worked many years and took pride in caring for others.
She is preceded in death by her husband Garry Lee Jenkins who passed in 2022, 4 siblings (3 brothers and 1 sister), and her parents Ben F. Brister and Lucille Ozell Brister.
She is survived by 3 children: son Earl Jenkins of Atascosa Co., son Ronnie Jenkins (wife Lindsay) of Atascosa Co., and daughter Jody Seiler (husband Wayne) of Medina Co., 9 grandchildren (7 grandsons and 2 granddaughters), 12 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, and nephews.
Graveside service with inurnment will be held for Karen and Garry Jenkins on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the Rutledge Cemetery in Poteet, Texas.
Anyone wishing to leave condolences, share memories, or sign the online guestbook may do so by visiting www.primrosefuneralservices.com Arrangements are under the direction of Primrose Funeral Services 303 W. College Ave., Devine, Texas, 78016, (830) 663-4445.
In Loving Memory of Maria “Mary” Sanchez Gallegos, 8/14/1938-1/4/2025
It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of Maria Sanchez Gallegos. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt. She passed away peacefully with her family by her side at the age of 86 years old. Mary lived a full and beautiful life. She embraced her life as a homemaker, always making sure her family was taken care of. She enjoyed being outdoors, going to the coast, journaling, cooking and having family over.
She is survived by her brother Jose Sanchez, son Juan (John) Chavera and wife, Rena Chavera; grandchildren Heather Whitaker and husband, Marshal Whitaker; Stefan Chavera; Christiana Howton and husband, Everett Howton; Kimberly Chavera and husband, Joshua Nixon; great-grandchildren Zander Howton; Kailey and Kylie Nixon; Orion Howton; Peyton Whitaker, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband Joe Gallegos; daughter Hilda Chavera; son Mario Chavera; parents Inez and Isabel Sanchez; siblings Hipolito Sanchez, Domingo Sanchez, Jesus Sanchez, Robert Sanchez, Emma Perez, Rosa Alaquinez, and Elvira Puente.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Mary’s life and the love she shared. Rosary will be held on February 7, 2024 at 9:30 am at the St. Joseph’s Parish Catholic Church in Devine with a funeral service to begin at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at the Devine St. Joseph Cemetery.
Susie (Jeannette) Savage was born on January 4, 1970, in Pearsall, TX. She is survived by her son, Avery Savage and Christina; her mother, Jimmie Fay Savage; her late father, Gary Savage; her sisters Terrie Bloodworth (Crestview, FL), Sharron and Mark Friedel (La Grange), Jennifer Savage (Devine); her brother Gary and Deann Savage (Canyon Lake); and her partner Tim Cates. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Reagan, Evelyn, and Amelia, as well as numerous nephews and nieces, including Joey Holmes, Summer Thomas, Kaleb Friedel, La Niece (TuTu girl) Williamson-Rush, Trace Savage, Logan Savage, Ian Moore, McKinze Savage, Brinley Savage, and 11 great-nieces and nephews.
Susie was a 1988 graduate of Devine High School and a 1992 graduate of Palo Alto College. She was a loving daughter, sister, grandmother, and aunt. A faithful believer in God, Susie had an unwavering love for her family and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring, with details to be announced at a later date.
May she rest in peace and may we all give God the glory in her honor. We love you, Susie.
Benito (Benny) Fernandez Cortez of Devine passed away January 11, 2025, at the age of 93. Benny was born in Big Wells, Texas.
Benny is preceded in death by his wife Anita Cortez, son Benito Cortez Jr., parents Francisco Cortez and Cleotilda Fernandez Menchaca, sister Mary Cortez Gallegos, and brother Manuel P. Menchaca.
Benny is survived by his daughter and son, Anna Ortiz (Rudy), Pete Cortez (Melissa), grandchildren Erica Camacho (Jeremy), Jessica Rodriguez (Everett), Nathan, George, Liz and Merci Cortez. Great-grandchildren Isaiah, Jacob, Alexandria Camacho, Aubrey Rincon, sister Olivia Jaramillo and brother Jesus J. Menchaca Jr. Benito, also known as “Benny” proudly served in the United States Marines for four years, achieving the rank of Lance Corporal.
Benny was a combat veteran of the Battle on the “Hook” during the Korean War and was honored with numerous medals, including the Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, UN Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal, reflecting his commitment to service and integrity.
”Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13
Napoleon Leal Herrera Jr. “Nap”, a dedicated servant to his country, community, and family, was born on January 8, 1935, in San Antonio, Texas. Surrounded by love, he passed peacefully at his home in Natalia Texas on January 12, 2025, at the age of 90. He is now reunited in Heaven with his parents, Napoleon Leal Herrera, and Annita Nelson Herrera and siblings, Lloyd and Rudy Herrera, Harry Nelson, and Emma Herrera Mier. He rests in the grace of the Lord he served with steadfast faith.
Napoleon’s life was defined by an extraordinary commitment to service. A proud United States Marine Corps veteran, he served honorably during the Korean Conflict, exemplifying courage and devotion to his fellow Marines and his nation. Following his military service, he continued to protect and serve as a San Antonio firefighter and became one of the first two Mexican American highway patrolmen for the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in 1964. His trailblazing career with DPS was marked by integrity and a dedication to justice, which he carried forward as a Special Agent for U.S. Customs.
In addition to his law enforcement roles, Napoleon shaped countless lives as an instructor at the DPS Academy and as an investigator for the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services. Later, he became a truant officer for Devine ISD and served as a Natalia ISD School Board Trustee, advocating tirelessly for the education and well-being of children in his community.
