Eva Soto Cadena was born June 2, 1945, in Edroy, Texas to the late Amando and Maria Soto, Sr. She passed on to meet our Lord January 14, 2024. She left behind a son, Arnold (Lillian) Cadena, her granddaughters, Alexus Lilly and Ava Rose, her siblings, Dolores (Luis) Hinojosa, Balbina (Jose) Trevino, Rosario (Alfredo) Martinez, Amando (Rita) Soto, Jr., Gabriel C. (Norma) Soto, Ismael (Paula) Soto, Melissa Soto, and Andres M. (Yvette) Soto. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alcario Cadena, her brothers, Juan C. Soto and David Israel Soto, her nephew Daniel Trevino, her "Buelita", Manuela P. Soto and her grandfather, Fructoso Carranza. 

 

Her pride and joy were her son and granddaughters with whom she spent time teaching them about cosmetology, home economics, fashion, animal care, shopping smartly, and how to style hair. She gave her granddaughters tips on how to compose themselves like ladies. Their shopping trips were epic- once stopping to shop at 18 different stores! Eva had a loving heart and reached out to many people in need. She would also take in stray animals, often cooking homemade meals for them. A beautician for fifty-nine years, she was so passionate about her chosen profession that she was still working at 78 years old. She had customers still trying to book appointments after her death! She was creatively gifted and so resourceful that she opened up and successfully operated her own barber shop for 10 years and a beauty shop for over 40 years! She was a model and cosmetology instructor for Paul Mitchell. She was the first person to rent a booth in South Texas which started the first self-employed beautician. Before that, all beauticians worked for the owner. Her customers and coworkers, Esmi and Connie, became her lifelong friends, her family. Though life was not always easy, she made it look easy with style and grace. Eva loved God, praying, and reading her bible which saw her through to the end. She leaves a piece of her heart with everyone who met her. She was truly a one-of-a-kind person and will be deeply missed!

 

A holy rosary will be recited at 11 AM on Saturday, January 27, 2024, with a mass to follow at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Edroy, with Father George as celebrant.