Irene “Nena” Padilla, lifelong resident of Hart, passed away in Midland, Texas, at the age of 80.

Irene was born July 22, 1946, in Robstown, Texas, to Raul G. Ramirez, Sr. and Elvira Castillo Ramirez. While raising her four children in Hart, she worked as a field laborer and cleaned homes. A strong, selfless fighter, Irene worked hard as a single mother to provide for her family. She took pride in her hometown of Hart and loved the color maroon. On April 12, 2004, Irene married Vincent Padilla.

Irene loved animals and cared for and fed many neighborhood strays. She also enjoyed wearing perfume and sunglasses and always looking her best. She cherished her grandchildren and often told them how beautiful they were.

She is survived by her husband Vincent Padilla of Hart; daughter Maria Gloria Hernandez and husband Eloy of Midland; sons, Lupe Ramirez and wife Ruth of Odessa, Esrael Ramirez of Los Angeles, California, and Ismael Ramirez of Hart; twenty-one grandchildren; thirty-eight great grandchildren; brothers, Juan Ramirez and wife Carmen of California, Raul Ramirez, Jr. and wife Elvira of Hart, Joe Ramirez and wife Teresa of Hart, and Robert Ramirez and wife Rosa of Grapevine; sisters, Irma Maruffo and husband Mario of Hart, Mary Armendariz and husband Marcos of Ft. Worth, Rosa Hernandez and husband Fernando of Victoria, Mary Jane Gonzales and husband Luis of Olton, Aurora Luna and husband Noel of Plainview, and Guadalupe Leyva of Tennessee; sisters-in-law Mary Ponce Ramirez, Janie LeDuke, and Janie Ramirez; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her parents Raul and Elvira Ramirez, granddaughter Kayla Yvette Ramirez, brothers Valentine Ramirez, Valle Ramirez, Jimmy Ramirez, Edward Ramirez, Raymond Ramirez, and Frank Ramirez; and sister Olga Maria Ramirez, brother-in-law Alfonzo Leyva.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Hart with Father David Contreras as celebrant. Burial will follow in Hart Cemetery under the direction and care of Colonial Funeral Home of Dimmitt.

Viewing and Visitation will be on Monday, September 28, 2026, from 1:00 – 7:00 PM at Colonial Funeral Home in Dimmitt.