Ursula Jacobo Gonzales lovingly called Wita by friends and family, short for abuelita, passed on into eternity on May 1, 2018, after a long and beautiful life serving God, her family and church. Wita was ninety-six years old and now is rejoicing with her Savior. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief in God gave her strength throughout her long life, and ultimately, gave her peace in her final hour, surrounded by her loved ones.

Wita was born on September 3, 1921 in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Albino and Maria Vela Jacobo and grew up with her two sisters, Dominga Algarin and Elizabeth Wilson and her brother Carlos Jacobo. The family moved to Dallas, Texas when Wita was only a few months old. Their father, Albino, raised his three daughters and one son by himself, after his wife Maria passed away.

Wita met her husband Severino Gonzales, Wito, short for abuelito, when she was 20 years old and they married on Valentine’s Day in 1942. They soon had their only daughter, Mary Helen. The family became cornerstone members of La Primera Asamblea de Dios in Dallas where Wita flourished as a follower of Christ. She served in many capacities including the church choir, Sunday school teacher, church secretary and over the years, many of the women’s ministry groups. La Primera de Dallas and pastor Reverend David Lara always remained dear to her heart. In her later years, she became a member of Iglesia Alfa y Omega in Garland, Texas, where she supported her daughter and son-in-law as they were pastors. She was dearly loved by the Alfa y Omega congregation. Wita was a woman of prayer, and her family leaned on her prayers.

Wita became the matriarch of her family when her daughter Mary Helen met and married Enrique P. Lozano. Mary and Enrique were blessed with three children Priscilla Marie, Henry and Michael Anthony. Wita and Wito were doting grandparents: showering them with love. They would spend many birthdays, holidays, Thanksgivings and Christmases together at Wita and Wito’s house. As Wito passed in 1978, Wita became part of Mary Helen’s household.

Wita’s interests were crocheting, sewing and cooking. She would crochet and make bible markers for church fundraisers and for family and friends. She sewed not only at work where she was a dedicated employee of Pillowtex until she retired in her 60s, but sewed many costumes for church programs and for her great grandchildren. One of her favorite things to do was to cook for family and for church functions. Her favorite scripture was Psalms 23 and her favorite song was “I’ll Fly Away” by Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch. She was always singing gospel music because worship music brought her great pleasure.

Wita is survived by her daughter, Mary Helen Lozano, her son in law Enrique P. Lozano, her grandchildren Priscilla Marie, Henry and his wife Leigh Ann, Michael Anthony and his wife Esmeralda, her six great-grandchildren Nicholas Trent, Zachary Ty and his wife Andrea, Katherine Leigh, Michael Anthony, Nathan Daniel and Matthew Stephen. She is also survived by her sister Elizabeth Wilson “Tia Licha”. She is preceded in death by her husband, Severino Gonzales, her sister Dominga Algarin, her brother Carlos Jacobo, her sister Elizabeth Jacobo, her brother Ezekiel Jacobo and her parents Albino and Maria Vela Jacobo.

A viewing and celebration service is scheduled for Sunday, May 6, 2018. The viewing will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and her celebration service will begin at 6 p.m. at La Primera de Dallas, 3775 Walnut Hill Lane. The funeral service is on Monday, May 7, 2018, at 10 a.m. followed by the burial at Sparkman Hillcrest Cemetery. At the conclusion, all are welcome to attend a reception to celebrate Wita’s life at La Primera Dallas, 3775 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, Texas.