Our beloved Encarnasion Riojas “Chonita” Baiza was called to heaven by our loving Father and husband Elpidio on Sunday, March 9, in Odessa, Texas.

Visitation will be 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, with rosary at 7:00 p.m., at Eternity Funeral Home Chapel B, in Fort Stockton, Texas.

Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 13, at Northside Church with both Pastor Scott Owens and Aaron Owens of Northside Church officiating. Burial will follow at East Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Eternity Funeral Home.

Encarnasion Riojas Baiza was born in Marathon, Texas to Severiano Riojas and Maria Riojas on August 12, 1940. She went to school in Marathon. Encarnasion worked as a CNA at the nursing home and Housekeeper at several hotels here in town.

Chonita was a soul full of faith, always ready to pray for anyone, believing that her faith would protect us all. She knew her community, everyone in town and their family histories. Her memory was remarkable; she never forgot a birthday or a phone number and loved her trips to the maquinitas, always hoping to win big.

Chonita cherished her hair days, especially when her perm was growing out, and she had a special place in her heart for her grandkids and great-grandkids, cooking anything they desired, with her red enchilada sauce being a family favorite. She had a gift for conversation and could talk for days about life. Her presence, wisdom, and love will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Encarnasion is preceded in death by parents Severiano and Maria Riojas, husband Elpidio Baeza, sister Irene Rodriguez, sister Margarita Riojas Abalos, brothers Eliseo Riojas and Manuel Riojas, sister Elena Vargas, sister Amelia Riojas, and granddaughters Delilah Olivas and Brandy Torres.

Encarnasion is survived by daughter Rosemary Olivas of Odessa, son Manuel Olivas from Odessa, Corina Adame and husband Juan from Odessa, Ismael Olivas and wife Melinda from Fort Stockton, Cynthia Jurado and husband Manuel Jurado from Pleasant Farms, Orlando Baiza and wife Sonia from Fort Stockton, sons Javier Olivas and Edward García, brother Jose Luis Riojas and sisters Oralia Perez and Husband Joe, Lidia Alvarez, 18 Grandchildren 69 great-Grandchildren, 44 great, great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Lupe Jurado, Angel Jurado, Harold Jurado, Nathan Garcia, Arnold Villa, Anthony Gamboa, Christian Carrillo, Justin Escontrias, honorary Andrew Baiza and Trey Zertuche Memorials may be given to St. Jude Cancer Treatment Hospital. The family of Encarnasion Riojas Baiza wishes to extend our sincere thanks to all the Doctors, nurses, home hospice, family, friends and local churches.