Cruz Portillo, 93 of Hale Center, passed away on February 4, 2026, at her residence. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Church of the Valley in Hale Center with Pastor Israel Flores officiating. Burial will follow in Plainview Cemetery under the direction of Lemons Funeral Home. Viewing and visitation will be held at 4:00 PM, Friday, February 6, 2026, at Church of the Valley in Hale Center.

Cruz was born on June 4, 1932, in Mexico to Jose C. Rodriguez and Esther Castillo. She married Antonio Portillo November 5, 1960, in Acuña, Coahuila, and they were married until his passing on May 27, 2016.

Cruz loved music, whether cleaning her house, cooking, gardening, tending to her flowers, or visiting her son at the ranch, she would have the music playing; she also loved to dance, especially with her sons. Cruz also enjoyed shopping, dressing in her bright, colorful clothes and talking with those that she visited with.

She loved her family and would always say she loved all her children and loved them all the same.

Cruz is survived by four sons, Luis Antonio Portillo and wife Vickey of Hale Center, Juan David Portillo of Acuna, Mexico, Richard Portillo of Alabama, and Carlos Portillo and wife Mary Lou of Hale Center; one daughter, Veronica Portillo of Lubbock; two sisters, Maria Jose Orta and Minerva Perez both of Del Rio; twelve grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Antonio Portillo; her parents, Jose and Esther Rodriguez;  and her siblings, Pedro, Linda, Chuy, Manuel, Gerardo, Fina, and Anna Rodriguez.