Maria Candelaria (Nunez De) Mondragon

Maria Candelaria “Cande” Nunez de Mondragon, 63, passed away peacefully in the early morning of Thursday, October 10, 2024. Born in Ameca, Jalisco, Mexico to her late mother, Antonia Gomez, on February 2, 1961. In Ameca, she met her husband of 46 years, Francisco Mondragon. Together they moved to Arkansas with their first three children to make a better life for themselves.

Cande was a dedicated, hardworking and fearless mother. Her children were her heart and soul. She was a thorough, detail-oriented person whose kind heart gained her many friends and employers that considered her family. Cande was the undeniable life of the party; she could always be found on the dance floor or at the center of a group. To know Cande was to love her. She always had a kind word to say and never a negative one. She encouraged goodness in everyone and expected it out of her children, including her daughter-in-law. Cande’s commitment to her family left a legacy visible in her children’s commitment and love to each other even in the hardest of times.

Known for her kind disposition and generosity, Cande was the kind of person everyone wanted to know and spend time with. Her amiability knew no bounds, her loyalty was evident, and her stubborn personality was delightful and always drew a laugh from her kids and, especially, her grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her mother and her pride and joy, her son, Tony. Tony’s loss was devastating to the family, but Cande was strong and had faith, she was the shining light that pushed us forward and through that her family was more unified than ever. We know Tony was there to greet her with open arms at Heaven’s Gates.

Cande leaves behind a legacy of love. Starting with her husband, Francisco of Ameca, Jalisco and Dumas, AR, her heart and eldest daughter Maria de la “Paz” Mondragon de Herrera, and husband Antonio, of Pasadena, TX, daughter and best friend Mireya Mondragon de Baylon, and husband, Cesar, of Dumas, AR, her baby and son Elias Mondragon, and wife Kerstin, of Crossett, AR. Her grandkids Carlos “Chicho” Castillo (Megan), Samuel Herrera, Anahi Castillo, Geovanni Castillo (Tatiyania), Roman James, Moises Herrera, Jasmine Herrera, Jesse Mondragon and Hunter Mondragon and Trinity Mondragon and a great-grandson who adored his Mama-Cande, Yo’syai Castillo. She also leaves behind her siblings, included her beloved big brothers, Juan and Raul Nunez Gomez and a host of nieces and nephews who she loved and did a lot for.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held, led by Pastor Ronald Neal, on Monday October 14, 2024 at 2 pm at Medder’s Funeral Home, 1564 Hwy 52 W, in Crossett. Followed by burial at Crossroads Cemetery. Pallbearers are Chicho, Samuel, Geovanni, Moises, Roman, and Jesse. Honorary Pallbearers are Elias, Antonio, Cesar, Raul and Juan.

Obituary written and submitted by Maria's family.

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