Genoveva "Beva" Villalon passed away on June 15, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Beva was born Genoveva Suarez on June 15, 1940, near Premont, Texas. On the day she was born, her father and two sisters had gone into town to run errands. When they returned to their ranch, they found that her mother had gone into labor and had self-delivered Beva who was swaddled in a blanket in her mother’s arms.

Raised in a family of modest means, Beva learned the value of hard work at an early age. As a child, she picked cotton alongside her mother and sisters. In high school, she excelled as a student, played basketball, performed in the band as a clarinetist, and worked in a nursery. That experience sparked a lifelong love of plants and gardening that remained with her throughout her life.

After graduating from high school, Beva attended Texas A&I University in Kingsville, where she met Eulalio "Lalo" Villalon. The two married in 1960 while she was still a sophomore in college and began building the family.

By the age of 24, Beva and Lalo were raising five young children. Encouraged by her father-in-law, Antonio Villalon, she returned to college to complete her education degree. She began what would become a 40-year career as an elementary school teacher, first in Mathis and later in Tuloso-Midway and Calallen ISD. Throughout her career, she taught and influenced generations of South Texas children. As an educator, she took particular pride in the fact that all of her children and grandchildren attended college, with many earning advanced degrees—a remarkable legacy for the daughter of parents who never had the opportunity to learn to read or write.

In 1973, Beva welcomed her sixth child, and two years later she and Lalo moved their family to Annaville, where they established deep roots in the community and created a home that would remain a gathering place for family and friends.

To her family and alongside Lalo, Beva was the quiet force that held everything together. She managed the household, prepared countless meals, raised six children, and maintained her career. Her huevos rancheros, papas, refried beans, bacon, and homemade tortillas became legendary among family and friends, as did many of her other South Texas specialties. On many nights, she could be seen crocheting as she watched the Golden Girls, the University of Texas games, Hallmark shows, or the Cowboy games.

Together, Beva and Lalo devoted many hours to the American Legion, Boy Scouts, and the sports teams their children participated in. For decades, they could be found side by side in the stands, cheering on their children and later their grandchildren. They even attended games that their sons, who were coaches, coached. Some weeks included games and tournaments on Thursdays, Fridays, and throughout the weekend.

For 66 years, Beva and Lalo built a life centered on family, friendship, faith, hard work, good food, and laughter. Their home was always open, their table was always full, and everyone who entered felt welcome.

Beva was preceded in death by her parents, Jesus and Antonia (Garcia) Suarez, and her sisters, Audelia "Lela" Gonzalez (Jesus), and Clorinda "Core" Benitez (Abelardo).

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Lalo, and their six children: Joel Villalon (Joshua), Dr. Velma Taormina (Martin), Alvaro "Gordo" Villalon (Judy), Homero "Homer" Villalon (Sylvia), Eulalio "Pok" Villalon, Jr. (Stella), and Antonio Villalon (Jackie).

She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Dr. Christina Villalon (Nathan), Anthony Taormina (Jennifer), Samuel "Sammy" Taormina (Emily), Ryan Villalon (Bruna), Dr. Briana Taormina (Blake), Kyle Villalon, and Homero Villalon; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved and cared for as her own.

Her legacy lives on in the family she nurtured, the students she taught, and the countless lives she touched through her kindness, chattiness, generosity, and love.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to your local elementary school or plant a rose bush in your yard or community.