Guadalupe "Lupe" Ortega Hernandez of Hondo, 84, passed away Monday, December 29, 2025.

Born July 13, 1941, in Hondo, she was the daughter of Esteban and Refugia Ortega Hernandez.

Lupe was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, infant sister Birjinia Hernandez and Maria O. Hernandez; and her brothers, Juan, Guillermo "Wille," Pedro "Pete", Antonio "Tony", Felix, Tereso "Tracy", and Esteban "Steve" Hernandez.

She is survived by her sisters, Margaret Apaez of San Antonio and Estella and her husband Manuel Arteaga of San Antonio; her brother Andres and his wife Dora Hernandez of San Antonio; sister-in-law Catarina "Cathy" Hernandez of Jourdanton, and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Her formative years were spent at  Our Lady of Guadalupe Elementary School and St. John's Catholic School. She graduated from Hondo High School and later began working at the family store, Hernandez and Sons Grocery Store where she retired after many years of service to the community.

Lupe was steadfast in living a life of God, Family, and Service throughout her whole life.

She was a devoted parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church where she was a dedicated member of the Guadalupanas and served in many capacities. Her unwavering faith connected her to a strong prayer-filled life.

Lupe dedicated herself to the family; she could be found cooking for family Sunday lunches, leading Easter egg hunts and taking excellent care of kinfolk. Although she did not have children, she was a spiritual mother to her Godchildren, Veronica H. Arteaga (Confirmation) and Tereso "Trey" Hernandez (Baptism), in addition to being a mother figure to many nieces and nephews.

Guadalupe will be remembered by many as long-time owner and cashier at Hernandez and Sons Grocery store. Her energetic welcome and genuine smile to customers are memorable, and her efforts in managing the store meat market created a long-lasting impact in the area.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, from 6:00  p.m to 8:00 p.m. with the reciting of the rosary at 7:00 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.  The funeral mass will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church with burial at  Hondo Cemetery to follow.

Arrangements are with Guinn-Horger Funeral Home.