Selia Linares

Selia Linares (Hernandez) 

April 7, 1976 – February 17, 2025                         Del Valle, TX

 With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Selia Linares, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. On February 17, 2025, at the age of 48, she left this world, leaving behind a legacy of love, strength, and unwavering generosity. Born on April 7, 1976, in San Jose, California, Selia was the beloved daughter of Jovita and Jesus Hernandez. As the 10th of 14 siblings, she grew up in a home brimming with warmth, resilience, and deep familial bonds. Life presented its challenges early on, receiving only an elementary school education before working in the fields later in life, but Selia was never one to be defined by hardship. Instead, she met every challenge with an unshakable will, transforming obstacles into stepping stones toward a life filled with purpose, love, and unwavering faith. Through every triumph and trial, Selia found her greatest strength in her devoted husband, Jose Manuel Linares Ramos. Their 25-year marriage was a testament to true devotion, an unbreakable bond that endured every storm, only to emerge stronger each time. No matter how passionate their disagreements; love always led them back to one another. With Jose as a steadfast provider, their home became a place of security, warmth, and enduring love. Selia took immense pride in being the mother of four wonderful sons: Rene Ponce (Gabriella), Patrick Ponce (Tori), Jose Manuel Linares Jr. (Abigail), and Luis Miguel Linares (Klarissa). She embraced motherhood with boundless love, guiding her children with faith and strength. Her greatest joys, however, came in the form of her 11 grandchildren, who filled her life with immeasurable happiness and whom she adored beyond words. Her deep-rooted Christian faith was the compass that guided her every decision, shaping the kindness and compassion she poured into the world. To know Selia was to experience radiance. Her presence was magnetic, her laughter contagious, and her smile capable of brightening even the darkest of days. She had an innate gift for making people feel valued, often becoming the heartbeat of every conversation. She lived by an unwavering principle: putting others before herself, whether it meant feeding someone before eating, giving away her last dollar, or offering an encouraging word when it was needed most. A skilled baker and gifted cook, Selia found joy in bringing people together through food. Her hand-crafted nourishing meals that not only satisfied the body but also touched the soul, and she took immense pride in sharing her love through her cooking. Beyond the kitchen, she delighted in arts and crafts, adding her creative touch to every aspect of life. She was silly, spirited, and endlessly determined, bringing humor and joy to those around her. No matter the occasion— family gatherings, school functions, celebrations— Selia was there, showing up with her full heart, always ready to uplift and support. Her giving nature and unbreakable faith will forever echo in the hearts of those who loved her. Though we mourn the absence of her physical presence, we find solace in knowing that her spirit lives on, watching over us, just as she did in life, with boundless warmth and love. Our family asks that acts of kindness be done in her memory, reflecting the same selflessness that defined her every day. Her love was, is, and always will be a guiding light in the lives of all who knew her.