Catalina Vargas

Catalina Barron-Vargas, lovingly known as Mom, Granny, and Abuelita, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2026, at her home, surrounded by the family who was her whole world. She was 93 years old and very proud of it, often saying, “I don’t know if anybody will ever make it to my age.”

Catalina was born on March 19, 1933, in Mexico to Andrea Robles-Barron and Leon Barron. In 1955, she met Miguel Vargas in a cornfield while working. Grandpa always said he knew she would be his wife, although anyone who knew Granny knows she certainly did not make it easy for him. They married that year and later moved to Stephenville, Texas, to pursue the American dream and build a better future for their family.

Granny was strong-minded, hardworking, determined, and exceptionally intelligent. She had a natural wisdom and an incredible ability to understand people, solve problems, and figure things out. Her knowledge came from a lifetime of experience, hard work, and never being afraid to learn. To her family, she was our financial advisor, counselor, doctor, lawyer, teacher, and trusted source of wisdom. She was the person we turned to because, somehow, Granny always knew what to do.

Her home was always open, and her kitchen was always filled with fresh food. She made everyone feel welcome, asked about your day, listened to your problems, and found a way to help—or simply make you feel loved. Even when she wasn’t feeling well, she would joke and laugh and make sure you left her home fed, loved, and with a smile on your face. Granny was famous for her tortillas. Every one of her grandchildren loved them, and that recipe was one secret she never gave away. She held it close to her heart, and no matter how many people tried, nobody’s tortillas will ever taste quite like Granny’s. Her cooking was more than food—it was love, comfort, and a taste of home that brought her family together around her table.

Granny was also a true fashionista. She loved having her hair and makeup done, beautiful outfits, and the perfect shoes. And if you ever told her what an “older woman” should wear, she would quickly let you know she had no interest in following anyone else’s rules.

She took her marriage seriously and showed her family what true commitment looked like through good times and difficult times. Through it all, she kept God at the center of her marriage and her life.

Granny loved her garden and surrounded herself with flowers, but most of all, she loved her family. She was blessed with 28 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren, prayed for her family every day, and left behind a legacy of faith, strength, laughter, wisdom, and unconditional love.

Catalina is survived by her children: Estella Patlan and her husband, Jesse Patlan; Isidro Vargas and his wife, Teresa; Alicia Trejo; Gloria Montoya and her husband, Santiago; Felix Vargas and his wife, Juanita; Guadalupe Ramos; Martin Vargas; Julian Vargas; Maricela Howell Vargas; and Ana Vargas-Djoke and her husband, Herve.

She was Mom to her children. She was Granny to her grandchildren. She was Abuelita to her great-grandchildren. And she was our family’s heart.

And now, she is free from pain, running through fields of flowers and surrounded by the beauty of the nature she loved so much, with God welcoming her home.

We are heartbroken by her absence, but grateful to God for the 93 years we were blessed to have her. Her prayers, lessons, laughter, and love will live on through every generation she leaves behind.