Lena Christine Zavala

Lena Christine “Chris” (Ortega) Zavala, 69, passed away January 26, 2025, in Kyle, TX after a 33 year battle succumbing to her disease. She was born July 24, 1955, to Felix Sr. and Noemi Ortega, in Lubbock, TX.

During her teenage years, Chris was in the Ballet Folklórico where she loved to dance. She graduated from Lubbock High School in 1974, where she was the Senior Class President by making history in becoming the first female Senior Class President of Mexican descent. She played the violin for the LHS Orchestra. Later in her adult years she played softball, and enjoyed bowling. She also enjoyed baking, and jewelry making… specifically rosaries. During the most difficult times of her disease she would make these rosary’s all by hand, which would be sent throughout the world to Christian’s missionaries to help spread the word of God.

 Chris worked as a welder’s assistant for Roanoke Iron & Bridge Works. She later joined the Army Reserves but had to leave unexpectedly citing family emergency. She then went on to work for the Texas Department of Human Services/Health and Human Service Center as an Eligibility Specialist. Chris was very active with St. Joseph Catholic Church; she was in the St. Joseph prayer group, a church lector, a CCE teacher, a wedding and Quinceanera church coordinator, a Guadalupana, a member of the Catholic Daughters, and assisted with funeral services at St. Joseph. Lena was also the kitchen inspector for St. Joseph Catholic Church. It goes without saying, Lena was a Christian at heart and a devout member of the Catholic Faith. Chris spent the last two plus years in Kyle, TX, with her daughter's family, where she passed away peacefully with all her family, sisters and brothers surrounding her. 

Lena was preceded in death by her father, Felix Ortega, Sr., her mother, Noemi Ortega, and her grandparents, Antonio and Margarita Ortega, Salvador and Luz (Lucy) Rangel, uncle Ephraim Rangel and a niece, Sarah O. Ponciano. Those remaining to cherish her memories and carry on her legacy are the following: a daughter Andrea M. (Jaime) Ramos, a son, Gregorio J. "Greg" (Denise) Zavala, a son, Javier S. "Javi" Zavala; her 8 grandchildren, Jaymison M.A. (Elizabeth) Ramos, Uriah N. Ramos, Dynah S. (Jacob) Ramos, Aleah G. (Landon) Zavala, Jeremiah F. (Shelbee) Zavala, Nathan E. Hernandez, Nicklous T. Andrews, and Ariel N. Zavala; her 2 great grandchildren, Kashtyn J. Acosta, and Xamari Acosta. 5 Sisters & 2 Brothers Sylvia A. Carter, Dahlia “Dolly” (Davis) Ponciano, Debra “Debi” Murski, Cecilia “Cissy” Ortega, Felix Ortega Jr., Jesse D. (Wendy) Ortega. 

The Zavala family will honor and celebrate the life of Lena Zavala with the following services: visitation from 9:00AM to 8:00PM, with Rosary starting at 7:00PM, Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at the Venue on Broadway, Combest Family Funeral Homes, Lubbock. A second visitation will be held from 6:00 το 8:00PM, Thursday, February 6, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lubbock, with Rosary starting at 7:00PM. A Mass will be held at 10:00AM, Friday, February 7, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lubbock. Graveside at Resthaven to follow Church services.

NOTE: the Rosary and Mass, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lubbock, will be live-streamed through the website for the church. https://m.facebook.com/st.josephlubbocktx/

Please log in to the St. Joseph website to view the Rosary, scheduled for Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 7:00pm and for the Mass on Friday, February 7, 2025, at 10:00AM.