EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Funeral services have been scheduled for a community organizer and prominent opponent of the Downtown arena project.
Antonia “Tonita” Flores Morales died on Oct. 17 at the age of 97.
Flores Morales was a lifelong resident of Duranguito and became a prominent symbol of opposition to the City of El Paso building an arena in that neighborhood. Those plans have since been dropped by the City government.
Visitation and services are scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 23 and Friday, Oct. 24.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Sunset Funeral Home, 9521 North Loop Dr. A service will follow at 7 p.m. with a homage from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
On Friday, there will funeral service at 10 a.m. at the Sunset Funeral Home followed by burial at 11:30 a.m. at Mount Carmel Cemetery, 401 S. Zaragoza Road.
“Beginning in 2016, Toñita emerged as a powerful voice in the years-long struggle to save Duranguito from demolition. She spoke before elected officials, gave interviews to local, national, and international media, and joyfully participated in community and cultural events. Even in her 90s, she helped create a community garden beside her home — a living example of her vision for a vibrant, livable Duranguito,” her friends said in a news release.
Family, friends and her supporters will gather during her services to celebrate her life and her “tireless advocacy” for El Paso, its history and neighborhoods, the news release said.
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