***The Life & Tmes of "Agapita Renteria Serrata***
October 27,1924
September 12,2007
Agapita was born in Yuma,Az. to Jesus Renteria immigrant from Mexico,and Encarnacion Rivera,immigrant from Granada,Spain.
Finally settling in Robstown,TX. Pita as she was called @ an early age started her schooling @ St.Anthony's Catholic School.
Migration for work was part of life for Pita, moving from So.Tx to West Tx. year round never allowed her to finish her studies. Nevertheless she managed to work odd jobs and help the family with expense...As she grew into a beautiful lady pita was intercepted by a young well kept Matias Serrata, who swept her of her feet;
(he was a great dancer). Agapita and Matias married and had *10* children; struggling thru life she rasied all her kids to adulthood by sweat,tears and pains...
Yes many tears came when Pita lost,"Juan(Johnny)Serrata" in a car
accident; another Serrata Brother who's musical talent was truly
awesome...Nevertheless *Mom* continued to do her motherly duties
like; getting up @ 4:00 am making a huge pile of tortillas for breakfast and lunch; then go to the fields and pick cotton all day.
Agapita was a strong *Christ *loving woman with good moral fiber
and undying faith that the Lord would provide for her family.She was very active in her church activities and often spoke about her
son's musical accomplishments,saying how proud she was of her family...
The life of Agapita was a struggle, but there were good times also;
like when her sons & daughters would come home,get together and
party in the back yard...Lack of music was not an issue , all of Pita's
family were music-oriented; when such a gathering took place,Mom
would cook-up a storm and @ the same time join Rene,Jessy,
Matias Jr, Frankie, Abel, Delia, Nora, Sylvia and Esther, to sing along
or dance with her sons and relatives. She was a very energetic and
exciting woman, with a very good sense of humor...All the good and
bad times in life were taken as they came by Agapita and she never
gave up when it got rough; instead she kept on living her life to
the fullest without reservation...Many times I recall coming home, I
would open the front door and the aroma of beans, arroz con pollo
and tortillas right-out of the comal; Que lindo es tener tu Madre...
How lucky we were to have such a good Mom to cook,wash,iron and still have time to teach us how to be artiistic and humble...
She had alot of friends that I met and all they would say is, you have a great Mom. Wow ! Pita was always full of suprises and liked to joke
around pleasently; as her Mariana's Church Group told us; they too
spoke highly about Agapita...
The mid 1940s brought children and hard-times to Agapita; (3) Delia,Matias Jr and Rene.Welfare was scarce in those years, so working the fields was the only resource in Robstown.Pita was determined to raise her children as best she could. She started cleaning houses in Corpus Christi,TX.; at times she had to hitch a ride with other people that worked close to her jobs. And, sometimes walk far to meet up with someone going back to Robstown. The money was not so good, but she needed any kind of money
to make ends meet and even that was not sufficient...I remember being hungry, Mom would take us to my Grandma's and Grandpa would ask Mom if we had eaten; Mom would start crying cause we didn't have any food at home and that was why we were there. Yes Mom was strong but when it came to her children,her heart would ache with grief not having the necessities required...Still Agapita moved on in life and bore (7) more kids; WOW !!! what a woman...
Yes Pita was a stong woman but sensitive in heart like any other woman is
towards her children...Call me prejudice, but I feel as if Mom was the best
mother one could have.I remember my school-days,we were very poor,but
Mom would say "muy pobre pero bien planchado". That's only one of the many qualities that Agapita had; even through our grown-up years she
would fuss and complain about our attire and neatness. I recall her saying;
"a ustedes no les planchan su mujeres" and right there she made me take
my pants off, iron them with a good crease and then my shirt aswell. She was very particular about our apperance...Wait till I tell you about how she
presented herself and the way she felt about her attire...
This was a very special day; Mom's 80th B-Day; fiesta con baile,food,
drinks,friends,relatives and live music by; Rene & Jessy,Los Buenos,
Jimmy Lee y Tentazion y un Trio de senoras cantando.Mom looked
beautiful and happy to have all the Serrata Family and relatives attend.
WOW ! she knew how to dress and look good...
Here's Mom just kicking back, posing for the camera and enjoying one of
her many visits to California. On her elderly years, Mom traveled around
somewhat; my only regret is, I didn't get to travel with her much,;!?.
But her spirit will travel within me everywhere I go from now until the Lord
does His will and re-unites me with Mom...
Agapita was very up to date on her attire and
always looked for the best clothes at some of
the finest clothing stores. After all she was
intitled to that and much more. She worked
all her life for her children, now the children
provided whatever she wanted with gratitude
and love.We love you & miss you very much.
Mom,Delia and kids; times like this were frequent having a large family;
Pita had visitors very often, she always made time for her family and even
non-family. She was very particular, outspoken but would tell it like it is"
That was one of her many qualities; she used to tell Rene, you can do better than that or she's not a good girl. I know Pita is watching over Rene from heaven and nothing or nobody can harm what the spirit of the Lord is
protecting by the love of Agapita...
Here is Agapita and Rene dancing on her 80th birthday
in Robstown,TX. She was a very good dancer and light
on her feet. Memories like this will linger forever to all
that were touched by her love. The story of Agapita has
no end; there's to many things yet to be mentioned and
alot of pictures to be exhibited on this website..
The Legacy of Agapita will continue as long as the Lord
gives me the will to to so.===
This will be my last and final tribute to "Mom". I do not wish to offend
anyone by writing the truth; but my heart will forever be scared by
those who desire the material memories of "Mom". I much rather prefer to be left alone and not argue nor contest any last testament left by,Agapita R.Serrata "Mom"...
*The End*
*SERRATA MUSIC*
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