Hilaria "Lala" Perez

Hilaria (Lala) O. Perez, 89, of Amarillo, Texas, went to be with the Lord on January 29, 2024. Lala was born to Cruz Olivarez and Louisa Mendez, July 6, 1934. She married Alejandro Perez in 1962. She later remarried Leonardo Chacon in 1988. She had two sons, Raymond and Alex. She also had a daughter, Mary, who passed away early in life, leaving Lala to raise Mary’s daughter, Michelle as her own.

Lala enjoyed traveling. She and her first husband, Alejandro traveled extensively throughout Mexico. She loved camping trips with the family. There are many camping trips taken with Alejandro and as well as her sister Sandy and Sandy’s kids. Lala was very social. She loved being around people. She enjoyed house parties, get-togethers, BBQs, and just hanging out with family. Lala would hang out with her sister, Sandy, a lot. You could oftentimes find them having coffee, running errands, shopping and eating out. Oftentimes, while watching her novellas, you would catch her on the phone talking to her sister about the novella they were watching. She also loved her plants. She lovingly cared for her plants, which filled her home from top to bottom. There wasn’t an ivy she didn’t like. You could always find ivy hanging overhead. She Lala enjoyed watching sports. You could always find her watching a golf game. She was so smitten with Tiger Woods. She loved watching baseball, basketball, and football. You could oftentimes hear her asking, “Are the Cowboys playing today?”

Of all the things she enjoyed the most, her family was at the top of the list. She absolutely loved when her grandkids came to visit her. One of the first questions she would ask her grandbabies, “Are you hungry?” and “Can I make your favorite?” She loved to spoil her kids and grandkids. She dedicated her life to her family. Her love and compassion for her family knew no bounds.

Her home was always open and you were always welcome. She always had ice- tea at the ready on a hot summer day or a hot cup of coffee on a cold day. Her home didn’t know any strangers. You were always made to feel like family. You felt safe with her.

Lala was a lady of determined grit and a fighting spirit. She was fiercely independent, and stubborn. She was generous to a fault. This lady would literally give the shirt off her back if it meant keeping the other person warm. Her laughter was contagious. Her light was bright. She had a huge impact on the lives she touched. Her sweet disposition and kindness were simply a footnote of slight comparison of all she truly was. She was the most beautiful soul anyone could know.

Hilaria was preceded in death by Alejandro Perez Sr., Leonardo Chacon, a daughter, Mary Louisa Ramos, a son Alejandro Perez Jr. She is survived by a sister, Sandy Buss, from Amarillo, a son, Raymond and Minga Olivarez, a daughter, Michelle and Kenneth Burleson, 13 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nephews and nieces who loved her dearly.