Alma Mirelez, Longtime Uvalde Resident, Dies at 85

Mirelez worked at Kmart and UCISD, was an avid sports fan and devoted grandmother.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:37pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph in warm tones depicting the blurred silhouettes of buildings and people on a small-town main street, conceptually representing the life and legacy of a longtime community member.The passing of Alma Mirelez, a longtime Uvalde resident and fixture in the community, marks the end of an era for this close-knit Texas town.Uvalde Today

Alma Mirelez, a longtime resident of Uvalde, Texas, passed away on March 19, 2026, at the age of 85. Mirelez worked for many years at the local Kmart store and later as a secretary and teaching assistant for the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District. She was an avid sports fan who rarely missed her grandchildren's games and enjoyed taking drives around town.

Why it matters

Alma Mirelez's life and legacy reflect the close-knit community of Uvalde, where she spent decades working, raising a family, and supporting local sports teams. Her passing is a loss felt by many in the small Texas town.

The details

Mirelez was born on August 6, 1940, in Pearsall, Texas, to Juanita (Juarez) and Juan Manuel Tafolla. She graduated from Pearsall High School and later worked at the Kmart store in Uvalde from its opening until the store's closure. Mirelez then worked for 15 years as a secretary and teaching assistant for the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District.

  • Alma Mirelez passed away on March 19, 2026.
  • Mirelez was born on August 6, 1940.

The players

Alma Mirelez

An 85-year-old longtime resident of Uvalde, Texas, who worked at Kmart and the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District.

Juanita (Juarez) Tafolla

Alma Mirelez's mother.

Juan Manuel Tafolla

Alma Mirelez's father.

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The takeaway

Alma Mirelez's life was deeply rooted in the Uvalde community, where she worked, raised a family, and supported local sports teams. Her passing marks the end of an era for this close-knit Texas town.