04/08/2026
Jovita Marquez
Jovita Elva Herrera Marquez (MariaElena/Wela/Mena/Grandmama) came into the world February 15, 1938 born to Jesus Garcia Herrera and Selsa Mata Herrera in Marfa, Texas, and was greeted into Heaven on April 7, 2026.
Jovita was always a woman who beat to her own drum. MariaElena proved and showed she belonged in every room, court, diamond, or tractor.
Jovita was a formidable athlete who never let gender or size stop her, and yet could freshen up and twirl around the dance floor all night with the love of her life. While a young lady in Rosco, TX she busted through the barriers of the time, on the basketball court, the baseball field, and every other sport she participated in.
While in high school, she met the love of her life, Bernardo Orona Marquez. They were inseparable for the next nearly 70 years. They eventually moved to Odessa in 1956 where they personally built their cherished home, life, legacy and foundation for generations.
Their dedication and fierce love story was the groundwork for a wonderful life for their six beautiful children, Ester, Mary, Barney, Olivia, Cecilia and their angel Marta/Martita.
Jovita and Nardo together with the very few neighbors, in the secluded North Ranchito, built and opened San Juan Catholic Church brick by brick from the ground up, one prayer, one stone and one coat of paint at a time. Together they instilled a life of servitude and faith that was felt in her everyday life and to everyone that walked through her doors.
Before earning her retirement, Jovita was a lead in the Shipping and Receiving department at Sears and Roebucks for 15+ years, a dedicated professional in many roles for ECISD for many years, a leader in her children's PTA at multiple schools and every activity her children were part of she was involved in and on the front row. An amazing wife, cook, Mom, avid gardener and a sought after Election Administration Pole Judge for Ector County and a lover of reading and a newspaper crossword savant- challenging herself using a pen!
Jovita was deeply committed to her children, her work and her faith. If someone needed a home, safe space, or a meal, she provided willingly with open arms and an open heart. No one ever went hungry when Jovita was around and she gave what was needed and more. She had a way of making people always feel welcomed and loved.
Jovita was our matriarchal guide and the heart of our family, and all of our good came from her guidance throughout her entire life. Our world was better because she was in it, and our memories of her will continue to guide us and give us strength.
Jovita is survived by her loving husband Bernardo Orona Marquez, and their children, Ester Tavarez (Eli), Mary Marquez, Barney Marquez (Ruby), Olivia Gonzales (Eddie), Cecilia Alvarado (Bobby) and a multitude of cherished grandchildren and and a wealth of great-grandchildren.
Jovita is preceded in death by her parents, Jesus and Selsa Herrera, older brother and sister in-love Manuel and Grace Herrera, sister Connie and Guadalupe Rodriguez, and her beautiful baby Martita taken too soon.
The family will hold a Visitation and Rosary on Friday April 10th, from 6pm to 8pm at Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home at 6801 E. Business 20, Odessa Texas. A Catholic Burial of Mass for Jovita will be on Saturday, April 10, 2026 from 10a.m. to 11a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Catholic Church located at 7601 N. Grandview Ave, Odessa, TX 79765.
We all would like to thank everyone and everything that has been here for our family during this most difficult time.
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