Maria Elena Lopez (Helen)

Mrs. Maria Elena Rico Lopez age 85, went to be with our heavenly Father on April 14th, 2025. She was born in Ballinger Tx on August 18th, 1939, to her late parents Mr. Dimas Rico and Mrs. Julia Estrada Rico. She will be reunited with her late son Edward Raymond Castillo.

Maria had many friends throughout her years. Most knew her as Helen.

Helen is survived by two daughters, Barbara Jo Narro with late husband Mario Narro and DeeDee Cadena with late husband Cary Cadena. Adolfo Narro and wife Vicki Narro. As well as one sister Monica Reed and husband Michael Reed. One brother Nune Rodriguez and wife Josie Rodriguez.

She will also be reunited with the rest of her siblings. Late sister Herminia Flynn and her late husband Jim Flynn. Late sister Emma Aguilar and her late husband Lupe Aguilar. Late brother John Soto and his late wife Mary Soto. Late brother Joel Rico and wife Sandra Rico. Late brother Felix Rico and his late wife Ella Rico.

Helen leaves behind 8 grandkids. William Narro and wife Ada Narro, Anthony Narro, Benjamin Narro and wife Cherie Narro, Edward Narro and wife Deisy Narro, Shawn Castillo and wife Jennifer Castillo, Lorenzo Castillo, James Medina, and her only granddaughter Kristian Smith and husband Jason Smith.

She had 20 great grandkids, Julia Nunez and husband Jacoby Nunez, Briann Narro, Analicia Narro, Damien Miguel, Cameron Narro, Mario Narro, William Narro, Fiona Narro, Bella Narro, Benny Narro, Nicholas Narro, Damian Jade, Grace Narro, Matthew Narro, Eduardo Narro, Max Narro, Austin Castillo, Audrey Castillo, Lexi Smith, Aspyn Smith, and one great great granddaughter Blakelynn Jordan.

She also leaves behind 11 nieces and 16 nephews, and so many cousins we lost count.

Helen made a lot of friendships that were very dear to her, and she experienced a lot in her life, from a military wife overseas, to shearing sheep and working as a cook at different restaurants. She loved having a good time and enjoyed working as a waitress, bartender and owning her own bar for a while. We will definitely miss her cooking and baking as well as watching her hustle at the pool table.

A memorial service for Helen will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am located at Beefmaster Steakhouse backroom in Ballinger Tx.

Helen was strong, fierce, and confident. She did not want a funeral or big fuss, she requested her family, and friends share a meal & stories of her younger days.

Her last wish was to be cremated and spread by her parents.

Please join us immediately after memorial service as we will proceed to the cemetery to put her at her final resting place. A celebration of life will be held at 5:00 in San Angelo at Williams Narro’s shop.

Please continue to lift all the family & loved ones up in prayer as we mourn the loss of Helen.