"Just a Thought" Column continues in La Prensa of SA, 8-24

Just a Thought: Carmen Barrera at 90

By Steve Walker

Ninety years ago last week Carmen Zendejas was born in the community of Cementville which is now the home of Alamo Quarry Market near Basse Road. From there her parents Jose and Anna eventually moved to Martin Street with their family where she grew up and attended Fox Tech High School.

She met her husband Roy Barrera Sr. at Fox Tech in 1943 as juniors and both graduated the following year. In 1948 they married and 66 years later they are celebrating her 90^th birthday.

Ironically I am very familiar with Fox Tech having taught there in 1982 nearly forty years after they graduated in 1944 and two years before I was born.

Carmen has always delighted in surrounding herself with her five children and grandchildren alike. She and Roy Sr. have 12 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren all of who were in attendance for the birthday celebration last week.

I was honored to be one of the invited guests to honor the matriarch of the Barrera family.  During their long marriage, her husband Roy served as a former Secretary of State (68-69) and has practiced law for the past 63 years.

Carmen is the mother of two girls, and three boys that include Yolanda, Roy Jr., Gilbert, Carmen and Robert. The sons are all lawyers like their father.

During the celebration daughter Carmen who works in her father’s law offices as a paralegal shared laughingly that “I can only wish I could come close to filling my mother’s shoes despite the fact they are really big shoes.”  According to her, her mother is the glue who keeps the family together.

She also shared that her mother was a “truly loving mother who over the years gave generously of her time to many projects that helped kids.” She pointed out that for nearly 40 years her mother was actively involved with the Wolf Trail Kids Kamp that ensured underprivileged kids were given the opportunity to attend a one week summer day camp to include arts and crafts somewhere in the local area.

The birthday party attracted well over 100 friends and extended family to their home on a 6 acre piece of land that also houses son Gilbert’s business, Sculpture’s Dominion, featuring works of art from all over the world. In the past I have covered numerous art exhibits there at Gilbert’s invitation, as well during Fiesta since it is officially a Fiesta event. 

Her oldest son, Roy Jr. is a former District Judge and Chairman of the Republican Party of Bexar County. His brother Robert practices law with his father, while Yolanda is a retired teacher and is devoted to caring for her mother. 

I have known Roy Jr. nearly 30 years and his son Roy III also practiced law periodically in my court when I was a Justice of the Peace.

Three years ago the Barrera clan packed the Central Jury Room with a bevy of attorneys, well- wishers and relatives to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of Roy the elder’s law practice. Those relatives turned out for Carmen’s 90^th birthday as well.

Knowing Carmen and the entire Barrera family is truly a blessing. Happy 90^th birthday Carmen Zendejas Barrera and many more to come.  

As always, I write “Just a Thought.”

Steve Walker is a Vietnam Veteran, former Journalist and Justice of the Peace.