Margarita Pando Hernandez

Surrounded by family, Margarita Pando Hernandez, gained her wings on April 25, 2026. She was 64 years young.

A visitation is planned for 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, at Ramage Funeral Directors, 223 S. Main Street, Hale Center, TX. A rosary service is set for 6 p.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 504 E. 13th St., in Hale Center.  A funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Hale Center on Thursday, April 30, followed by a burial service at Center Plains Cemetery in Cotton Center under the care of Ramage Funeral Directors.

Margarita was born in Redford, Texas to Buena Ventura and Pedro Gonzalez on Jan. 27, 1962. The youngest of 12 children, she spent her formative years attending school in both Cotton Center and Hale Center.  After graduating from Hale Center, she stuck close by working jobs at a radio station and at the local hospital until she found her true passion in life – working with kids.

In 1991, one of the greatest treasures of her life, a daughter, made her appearance and changed her life for the better, Margarita once said (this writer swears it). Margarita’s husband, J Guadalupe Hernandez, joined their family unit in 1995 and their life seemed complete.  The couple moved to Cotton Center that same year.  They welcomed their second treasure (who paid this writer to say so), a son, in 1998. Mage, as her family knew her, married Lupe, as he is better known, in October of that same year. They shared a beautiful life together raising their kids (both the favorite child and the other one).

Margaret began working at Cotton Center ISD in 1997. The school was a special place for her. She met many lifelong friends there, impacted countless students’ lives and generally found another family who helped her navigate life, both professionally and personally. She wore many hats for the district before ultimately landing in the library where she helped shape young minds, and she was so ready to return before health struggles won the battle.

At home, she was a devoted caregiver, loving counselor and a great chef whose homemade tortillas will be missed by many. She will be remembered by her family as a strong-willed beautiful soul who will be missed forever.

If you’re a former student with special memories or just someone she took under her wing, remember this: Margaret took great pride in her kids, including the ones who do not share her blood.

Mage also greatly enjoyed sharing time with her many siblings. In her last year of life, during many, MANY car rides with her daughter, she shared many fond memories with a smile and always looked forward to the next trip to the casinos with her sisters.

Margarita is survived by her husband, J Guadalupe Hernandez; her children, Ellysa and her husband, Joshua Harris, and Jose Guadalupe Hernandez and his fiancée, Kristin Casias; as well as her siblings, Bernardino and wife Elizama Gonzales; Esequiel and wife Celia Gonzalez; Matilde Hernandez; Carmen and husband Antonio Mier; Raquel and husband Casimiro Villarreal; and Fidelia and husband Felipe Roman. She also has countless nieces and nephews.

Mage is preceded in death by her parents, Pedro and Buena Ventura Gonzalez; her brothers, Luciano, Bonifacio and Pascual Gonzalez; and her sisters, Eduvijes Porras and Apolonia Orona.

She’s gone too soon but will forever live on in all the hearts she touched.