Ernestina A. Hernandez

Ernestina A. Hernandez, 95, of San Antonio TX , passed away on May 29, 2026 surrounded by her family.

Ernestina was born in Asherton, TX to Jose and Margarita Arredondo on December 13, 1930. Ernestina attended Lanier High School in San Antonio, TX. She married Gilbert Avalos Hernandez on June 15, 1952 at Immaculate Heart of Mary in San Antonio, TX. She completed courses in the licensed vocational nursing field and worked at Santa Rosa Hospital. Soon after starting she helped a group of nurses’ aids greeting wounded soldiers at Brookes Army Hospital. This would be a chance encounter with her future husband Gilbert. While he did not show much interest, he did recognize her a couple of weeks later coming out of the Texas Theater with her friend Mary Jane. Thus, began a lifetime of memories.

Once Gilbert completed his military service both Ernestina and Gilbert moved back San Antonio, where Ernestina kept the home front in order. Soon after the young couple would move to Riverside CA and would continue expanding their family. In total they would welcome and love nine children. During this time Ernestina worked at Bourns Labs a part of the aerospace program which she enjoyed very much since she regularly received family tickets to Disneyland.

After Ernestina and Gilbert moved back to San Antonio, she finally put her nursing courses to work and spent many years working at the Lutheran Hospital followed by many years working at the San Antonio Zoo as a Customer Service rep. Ernestina would eventually retire from the zoo in order to care for her husband Gilbert. Ernestina was a devoted wife mother grandmother great grandmother daughter and sister she will be greatly missed.

Ernestina is preceded in death by parents Jose Arredondo and Margarita Chavez, siblings Benito, Olivia, and Jose, her husband Gilbert, sons Gilbert Jr, Jamie and son in law Rosendo.

Ernestina is survived by sons Henry, John (Elva), Mark Anthony (Laura) and daughters Linda, Elizabeth (Al), Loretta and Vangie (Yolanda), sisters Estella and Evangelina and many nieces and nephews' grandchildren and great grandchildren

Pallbearers will be Henry Jr., Rogelio, Richard, Matthew, Roman, Amber, Kristen and Katelyn.

Rosary and Visitation will be 6:00pm, Sunday June 14, 2026 at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Monday June 15, 2026 at St Gerard Catholic Church with visitation starting at 10:00am and a Funeral Mass performed at 11:00am. Burial will follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery at 2:00PM (shelter 1).

Arrangements are by Sunset Northwest Funeral Home.

The family of Ernestina wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Andrine Grant of Health Texas Medical Group and medical staff at Baptist Westover Hills Hospital.