Esperanza Zamarripa

Esperanza “Neca” Zamarripa completed her earthly mission and returned home to her Heavenly Father on February 3rd at 9:08 p.m. She was born on January 1, 1967, in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Neca courageously faced many health challenges throughout her life, including interstitial lung disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and heart failure. Despite these struggles, she remained strong, faithful, and deeply committed to her family and her work. Throughout her life and especially during her health challenges, she was lovingly supported by her husband, her many siblings, and their spouses.

She was born to Margarito Jimenez and Enedina Balderas de Jimenez. From a young age, Neca traveled north with her family to work in the fields. Her father instilled in all of his children a strong work ethic, one that Neca carried with her throughout her life. When she was not working up north, she helped her family at their store in Batesville. She never shied away from hard work.

Education was very important to Neca. As a senior in high school, she wanted to walk at graduation with her class. This required staying behind while her family traveled north to work. She asked her father for permission and was initially told no. True to her nature, Neca did not accept that answer. She continued to ask until she received a yes. Her parents left to work, and her sister Petra Villareal and brother in law Richard Villareal stayed behind to support her and watch her graduate. Richard and Petra Villareal played an important and lasting role in Neca’s life.

Neca met Jose while working her way up into a management position at McDonald’s. Their friendship grew into love, and as Jose often said, it was love at first fry. Esperanza Zamarripa and Jose were sealed in the Dallas Texas Temple on August 26, 1993, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Together they raised four children, Daniel Isaiah, Michael James, Samantha Olivia, and Sarah Rebekah. Neca loved her family dearly and was deeply involved in each of her children’s lives. She made nearly every event, including soccer, baseball, band, and volleyball. She instilled in her children the principle, “If you start something, finish it,” and she lived that ethic every day of her life.

She made sure each of her children graduated from high school and did everything she could to support their college education. She was immensely proud of their accomplishments. Daniel graduated from Brigham Young University and earned a master’s degree from Weber State University. He is married to his wife, Emily, and together they are the parents of their son, Drake. Michael graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Samantha graduated from Southwest Texas College and is close to completing her degree at the University of Texas at Austin. Sarah completed her associate’s degree at Southwest Texas Junior College and is currently serving her mission in Hamburg, Germany. Neca often expressed that her children had surpassed her in education, and she would beam with pride knowing they were accomplishing great things.

Work was instilled in Neca from a young age and remained important throughout her life. Her final job was at Tech Smart, where she found great joy. Even while battling illness and pain, she insisted on going to work and continued working until her final days.

Neca served in many church callings, but her favorite was working in the nursery. She loved those children as if they were her own. One of her greatest joys was helping young mothers during church. Whenever she saw someone struggling, she stepped in to help, often taking one or two children so their parents could have a moment of peace. She also had a deep love for genealogy and found great joy in helping others discover their family history.

Neca’s love extended beyond her home and was felt by her ward family, close friends, and the many friends of her children, all of whom deeply supported her throughout her life and especially during her health challenges.

Neca was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by all who knew her. There is no doubt that the reception she received on the other side of the veil was filled with family and many others whose lives she touched.

She is survived by her husband, Jose Zamarripa of Uvalde; two daughters, Samantha Olivia Zamarripa and Sarah Rebekah Zamarripa both of Uvalde; two sons, Daniel Isaiah Zamarripa and wife, Emily of Salem, Utah and Michael James Zamarripa of Uvalde; five sisters, Petra Villarreal, Lucia Jimenez, Maria Rios, all of Batesville, Josefina Chavera and Gloria Balbuena both of Uvalde; four brothers, Jesus Jimenez, Juan Jimenez, Pedro Jimenez, and Guadalupe Jimenez all of Batesville; grandson, Drake Isaiah Zamarripa; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by parents; sister, Alicia Jimenez, and brother, Pedro Jimenez.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 13, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a prayer service at 6 p.m. at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 10 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Uvalde. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Matthew Villa, David Zamarripa, Jaime Zamarripa, Michael Zamarripa, Daniel Zamarripa, Erick Zamarripa, David Villarreal and Judson Hieftje