CLAUDIA FERNANDEZ GURROLA 1934 – 2024

On Thursday, April 25, 2024 Claudia Fernandez Gurrola was called home to Heaven at the age of 89, where she passed peacefully at home in Shiro that sat upon the land her dad owned. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, 2024, with the rosary recited at 7 p.m., both at the funeral chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church in Anderson. Interment will follow in the family section of the Shiro Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Nobles Funeral Chapel.

Claudia was born on October 30, 1934, to Guadalupe and Deodoro Fernandez of Shiro, Tx. She grew up in Shiro, TX and attended Shiro Elementary until the 8th grade then graduated high school from Navasota in 1957. She then went on to attend and earn a degree from Massey Business College in the 60s. She worked as a cashier and accountant at Shiro Grocery store that was owned by Buck Thomas. She also helped her dad, Deodoro, work their family farm tending to animals and sharecropping. Claudia also took care of her parents in their old age until their passing and was caregiver to her younger siblings until they were of age.

In 1966, Claudia met Santos John Gurrola and they wed on January 28, 1967. Along with Santos came little Mary Estella, who Claudia took in and raised as her own. Together Santos and Claudia would have four other children, Cynthia, David. Dora and Daniel. In addition to providing for their five children, Claudia was also the caregiver to her brother, Eduardo Fernandez. The family continued to reside in Shiro, where Santos and Claudia would own Gurrola Dozer services and later the Gurrola Family Restaurant until the time of Santos’ illness made it impossible to continue both family businesses. Claudia then went to work at Anderson Shiro School as a cook for 15 years before retiring.

A fond memory most would share is that Claudia could whip up some delicious meals and had wonderful southern hospitality. She would also volunteer in the kitchen with the Shiro Civic Center and Shiro Volunteer Fire Dept during fundraisers.

She will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.

Claudia is preceded in death by her husband, Santos Gurrola, parents, Deodoro and Guadalupe Fernandez, and eight siblings.

She is survived by her five children; Mary Estella Gurrola, Cynthia (Nathan) Lofton, David (Adrienne) Gurrola, Dora (Shawn) Schneider and Daniel (Cris) Gurrola, 15 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, sisters Sidonia Smith and Baleriana Klawinsky, brother George and wife Louise Fernandez and numerous nieces and nephews.