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Tomasita celebrates
her 96th birthday
Archbold: Tomasita Rodríguez was born on January 31,
1917, in Rancho Las Delicias, Gral. Terán, Nuevo León, México,
the daughter of Antonio and Candida Jaramillo. The oldest of 9
children, she was taken out of school after first grade to help
with the farm chores.
In 1933, her life took a big change when she heard the Gospel of
Jesus Christ and accepted Him as Lord and Savior. With this new
decision she began a walk of faith in God, trusting Him as
source of her life, strength and happiness.
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In 1934 she married Yrineo Rodríguez, “the Preacher.” Together
they began ministering to the people in neighboring communities,
founding the first Assembly of God church in their home town.
In 1949, they migrated to McAllen, Texas, with 6 children.
Tomasita’s first job was making corn tortillas by hand for 10
cents an hour.
Six other children were born in the United States, as they
continued to make their life as migrants, traveling from Texas
to Arizona, to Michigan and Ohio and back to Texas. In 1956 they
settled in northwest Ohio. The winters were tough, but they
determined to make a better life for their children; with faith
and conviction that God had brought them to Fulton County, Ohio
for a reason, they endured. Yrineo and the older Children found
factory jobs, but the younger children, along with Tomasita,
spent their summers working the fields.
The Rodríguez family was instrumental in founding the first
Hispanic Assembly of God church in Archbold, Ohio. Yrineo’s
prayer was that of all the children God had given them he wanted
at least one to become a minister. God granted them this
prayer—all have been involved in ministry in one way or another;
eight have been involved directly as Ministers of the General
Council of The Assemblies of God; five of them are pastors.
Yrineo and Tomasita were married for 50 years. Yrineo passed on
to be with The Lord in 1984. Tomasita continues to be the strong
spiritual leader to her family; she recently celebrated her 96th
Birthday surrounded by 55 members of her family. She is the
mother of 12 children: Eleazar (Lidia) of Baton Rouge, LA; Raúl
(Linda) of Corpus Christi, TX, Ester (Noe) Vásquez of Harlingen,
and Rosa (Ramiro) Rodríguez of Laredo, TX. Misael (Olga), Elvia
(Enrique) Rivera, Yrineo Jr (Lucy), Abel (Regina) and Lydia
(Jesse) Torres, all of Archbold. Moses (Ana) of Wauseon and
Samuel (Febe) of Los Angeles, CA. Estella (Felipe) Acevedo of
McAllen, TX; deceased.
Tomasita has 43 grandchildren, 94 great-grandchildren and 3
great-great grandchildren. Tomasita states” “My greatest joy is
seeing my family united and serving God; there is no better life
than this.”
Her advice: “Love God with all your heart and memorize his
Word. He will show you what to do when you have problems.”
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