Irene E Hernandez, 81 of Bay City, Tx, passed away Monday, January 26, 2026. She was born July 28, 1944, to Jose I. Esquivel and Melanie Alonso Esquivel.

Irene loved teaching. She spent most of her teaching years in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, where she touched countless lives through her dedication, patience, and love for helping others learn & grow. She also spent much of her time teaching sign language.

Her greatest joy was spending time with all her great grandchildren.

She will be remembered for her faith and the deep love she had for grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jesus Hernandez; her parents, Jose & Melanie Esquivel; and great-grandson, Joziah Barrientos. She is survived by her only daughter, Sonia L. Hernandez (Manuel Garcia); 5 grandchildren, Lorena Velarde (Miguel), Johana Barrientos, Melanie Barrientos, Jose A. Barrientos, Jr., and Alejandra Castaneda (Jose Sierra); 15 great-grandchildren, Miguel Velarde, Jr. (Xiomara), Damian Velarde, Xavier Velarde, Ector Lopez, Jr., Jaysen Gonzalez, Jionni Lopez, Mackynzie Velarde, Jordan Sierra, Joy Barrientos, Kensley Castaneda, Lorena Garcia, Jeslynn Lopez, Arianna Barrientos, Ashton Barrientos, and Jen Garcia; and her 8 siblings.

The family will receive relatives and friends for visitation from 5-7pm Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. The Holy Rosary will be recited at 6:30pm. Funeral services will begin at 10:00am Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with Father Gabriel Espinosa officiating. Pallbearers for Irene will be Jose A. Barrientos Jr., Miguel Velarde, Manuel Garcia, Jose Sierra, Miguel Velarde Jr., and Damian Velarde.

Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.taylorbros.net