Yolanda Herrera Mata

It is well with her soul Yolanda (Yolie) H. Mata was called home to be with her Father on

January 16, 2025, at the age of 77 years old.

Yolie was born on May 27, 1947 in Poteet, Texas to Jose Herrera and Alicia Garza. She is

survived by her children, Chrissy Recio and Eric John Mata; her grandchildren, Jonathan

and Michelle Cortez and Justin Renteria; and her great-grandchildren, Aubrey Grace Cortez

and Isaiah Jon Cortez. She is also survived by her lifelong best friend, MaryAnn Garzes. She

is preceded in death by her father, Jose Herrera.

Yolanda provided a strong foundation for her family to grow into the happy, loving,

successful people they are today. She was a devoted single mother who ensured her

children always had a place to call home and a grandparent whose love and care knew no

limits. Forever everyone's number one fan, Yolie never missed an opportunity to celebrate

the accomplishments of a loved one, and she had quite a few loved ones!

Yolanda served with thoughtfulness and grace in all that she did. Over her thirty-year

career as a teacher's aide for Harlandale ISD, she forged hundreds of enduring friendships

with her students and their families. A pillar at her church, March Avenue Baptist, Yolanda

avidly attended services and was the best Sunday School teacher God could ask for. Her

service to her faith and her community made Yolie quite the supermarket celebrity, and no

matter what, she never forgot a birthday and always made time to catch up with others.

Yolie lived a modest life but was always rich in love and spirit. Her greatest joys included

attending church and being surrounded by her family, especially her amazing great-

grandchildren, for who she always found the strength to put on a smile and play with.

Instantly beloved by anyone who met her, Yolanda was bestowed with many nicknames

over her lifetime, like Mom, Nonnie, Coco, Pops, sister, and Ms. Mata. She would count her

unwavering faith in the Lord, her beautiful family, and an extensive network of loving, loyal

friends which extends across the globe as her favorite and most important

accomplishments.

Yolie was a creative, eclectic woman with many talents, such as thrifting, gardening,

baking and sewing for her loved ones, and adorning her home in a variety of happy themes

such as lighthouses, trees, and birdies. She was an arts and crafts expert who would often

use her ability to make others happy. Her grandchildren still hold fond memories of when

their Nonnie would visit them at school on their birthdays, read a story to their class, and

then lead them in arts and crafts activity before serving up some delicious Oreo dirt-cake.

A football fanatic until the very end, Yolanda was fortunate to witness five Dallas Cowboys

Super Bowls in her lifetime and has been eagerly awaiting the sixth for the last three

decades.

Yolie will forever be missed by many. Her loved ones will take comfort knowing that she is

rejoicing far beyond the sky with Our Creator, free of earthly affliction.

In honor of Yolanda's life, a viewing will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 4:00 PM

at March Avenue Baptist Church located at 927 March Ave, San Antonio, TX 78214.

Services will be held on Friday, January 24, 2025, at 9:00 AM at March Avenue Baptist

Church. She will then be interred at San Jose Burial Park.

Friends and loved ones are invited to pay their respects. Cold weather is expected. Please

dress warmly.

In memory of Yolanda H. Mata, please consider making a donation to March Avenue

Baptist Church. The family would like to thank River City Hospice for their delicate and compassionate care of Yolie. Wish you were here!