Christina Salinas Hollis

Christina Salinas Hollis was born January 15^th, 1947, and died February 10^th, 2022.  She was born in Reynosa, Mexico to Mercedes Garza and Edin Salinas.  She contracted Polio as a child.  After her mother’s passing she, her older sister Baudilia and younger brother Charlie, moved to McAllen, Texas where they were raised by their stepmother Clara Gonzalez Salinas and father.  Christina grew up in McAllen with her siblings including her half-brother Edin Salinas Jr. She graduated from McAllen High School in 1969 with her brothers Charlie and Edin.  She later moved to Irving with her sister, Baudilia, and brother-in-law, Pablo Gonzalez, and then moved to Dallas where she helped raise her niece, Elizabeth.  Christina also worked at Good Year as key punch operator and made many friends.

Christina loved all things country and moved to east Texas where she was part of a country band.  She was married and had a farm in Mineola, Texas.  She became pregnant and was told by her doctor that she could not carry her baby to term and that she should have an abortion, but she sought another opinion and was blessed with the birth of her daughter, Rhonda Hollis.  Rhonda was the joy of her life and though Christina was in a wheelchair, she was a strong woman and cared and gave her daughter all the love that a mother could give.  They enjoyed raising corn, peas, potatoes, squash and melons, and Rhonda enjoyed driving a three-wheeler around the farm.  Christina had a special place in her heart for all kinds of animals, and she loved and cared for many pigeons on the farm.   Throughout her life she also had several dogs, cats and birds.

After Christina divorced, she and Rhonda moved to Arlington. Christina enjoyed making hand crafted items and had craft booths that she would stock with her gnomes, signs, dream catchers and pillows.  She enjoyed making people smile with her crafts.  Christina was a kindhearted soul. She always had a smile to light up the room.  She made many friends in Arlington including one of her dearest friends, Olivia.

She moved to north Dallas and the Garland area to be close to family and to help raise her nephews Pablo and Tomas Rubealcaba.  The boys enjoyed getting to ride in her arms or on her wheelchair pedals.  Christina moved to a senior living community and made many friends.  She often helped in the community by helping translate or just by being a good listener, and in turn her friends at the community where there when Christina needed help.

Her daughter Rhonda bought a home in Rowlett and moved her mother in. Christina was overjoyed to be with her daughter and to have a home where her two Chiweenies, Julie and Dorothy, could run free in a big backyard.  She had Rhonda put a bird feeder and a bird bath for the birds.  Christina was not able to drive, but she did work through her computer to share photos of lost pets or pets that needed a home.  Up to the days when she was sick, she was working on her crafts and connecting with some of her dearest friends across the US and overseas.

Christina loved her family and friends and is survived by her daughter Rhonda Hollis, niece Elizabeth Rubealcaba, her husband Robert Rubealcaba, and their sons Pablo and Tomas Rubealcaba, brother-in-law Pablo Gonzalez, brother Edin Salinas Jr and his wife Bertha, and Christina’s other brother Charlie Salinas.  Her sister-in-law Maria Salinas, and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her mother Mercedes Garza, and father Edin Salinas, stepmother Clara Salinas, sister Baudilia Gonzalez and her nephew Edin Salinas III.

Services for Christina will be on March 19^th starting at 11 am at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Richardson.  Rosary will begin at 11am followed by Mass at 11:30am. Eulogies and Lunch will begin at 12:30pm at Parish Center.  Graveside service will be at 3pm at Restland in front of the mausoleum that has its back to Greenville Ave.