Hortencia Sierra (Plainview)

Hortencia Sierra, 84 of Plainview passed away on Sunday, December 18, 2022. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, December 23, 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father George Poonely and Monsignor Rex Nichols officiating. Burial will follow at Plainview Memorial Park under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors.

A Rosary will be held Thursday evening, December 22, 2022 at 6 P.M. in the Kornerstone Chapel.

Hortencia was born on July 28, 1938 in Mexico to Leopoldo and Maria Camarena.  

Hortencia Sierra met the love of her life, Ysidoro Jesus, while farming in Plainview, Texas. Hortencia was 18 years old and Jesus was 27 years old when they married. Jesus was a romantic and wrote love letters to his beloved wife. When Hortencia was 19 years old she gave birth to her first child, a daughter, Maria. They grew quickly from there into a family of 11 with a total of 9 children: Maria, Guadalupe, Jerry, Joel, Joaquin, Teri, Blas, Julian, and Jesse. Sadly, Jesus passed away suddenly when he was only 38 years old, leaving Hortencia to raise their family alone. Mom’s faith in God and her hold on His word is what gave her the strength she needed to raise her family, and to do it with dignity and grace. She walked with God’s grace and His light was always with her. 

Hortencia was known as “Mom”, “Grandma”, or “GiGi” to her family. It was easy to feel right at home in her house as she always seemed to be busy in the kitchen, cooking or baking something warm and delicious. She had an inviting presence about her and was overjoyed to see you when you walked in the door. She had a way of making you feel cared for, loved, and adored every time you saw her. You never left her home feeling hungry or unseen. With so many children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and eventually great-great grandchildren under foot, she still managed to hold you close and make you feel special. Our mom was kind, hardworking, and without a doubt the strongest woman we have all been blessed to know. She had an amazing sense of humor that made her giggle and kept you laughing, especially with her holding up peace signs when smiling for pictures. Which is a sweet reminder of the peace we all felt in her presence. 

There was never a time of idleness in Hortencia’s life. She was a dedicated member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and selflessly gave her time, talents, and service by cleaning the church, cooking the annual turkey dinner, and catering countless meals. Mom also spent many years running a daycare out of her home for many children whom she treated like grandchildren of her own. She truly was a beautiful example of what it means to have a servant's heart and did so with so much love and joy. 

One of the most significant accomplishments of her life can be summed up in one word: faith. It is this faith that she has spread to her entire family, spanning multiple generations, leaving behind a legacy of God’s enduring love through his good and faithful servant, Hortencia. 

Hortencia is preceded in death by her husband, Ysidoro Jesus Sierra, Sr.; son, Jerry Sierra; parents, Leopoldo and Maria Camarena; brother, Jose Moreno, and one grandchild, MiJoy Sierra.

She is survived by two daughters, Maria Sierra Hamilton and husband Bill of Woodward, Oklahoma, and Teri Sierra Alvarado and husband James of Lubbock, Texas; six sons, Guadalupe Sierra and wife Patricia of Plainview, Texas, Joel Sierra of Austin, Texas, Joaquin Sierra and wife Diana of Plainview, Texas, Blas Sierra of Kerrville, Texas, Julian Sierra and wife Toni of Plainview, Texas, and Jessie Sierra II of Naples, Florida; two brothers, Raymond Camarena of Port Arthur, Texas, and Leo Camarena Jr. of Carlsbad, New Mexico; and one sister, Alicia Montemayor of Dallas, Texas. She also leaves behind 18 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren.