With heavy hearts and profound gratitude for a life well-lived, we announce the peaceful passing of Estella Rios Ybarra on September 27, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on April 11, 1948, in Mercedes, Texas, Estella was a beacon of faith, love, and resilience to all who knew her.

Estella was the cherished daughter of Merced and Guadalupe Rios, who predeceased her. She was a devoted wife to her beloved husband, Steve Sr., with whom she shared 57 beautiful years of marriage. They were united in holy matrimony on June 22, 1969, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in College Station, Texas. Together, they built a life centered around family, faith, and community.

Estella is lovingly remembered by her children, Steve Jr. (Kellie) and Angela Drye (Carl), along with her six sisters and three brothers. Her legacy lives on in her five grandchildren, Angie Marie Vargas (Danilo), Carl Steven Drye, Troy Drye, Alyssa Ann Drye, Steven James Ybarra (Katie), and one great-grandson, Kyellan Ilijah Drye-Hernandez, all of whom brought her immense joy and pride.

For over four decades, Estella was an active and devoted member of the Prince of Peace Catholic Church. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life, and she served in numerous roles including as a Eucharistic Minister, Homebound Minister, a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and a participant in various prayer and bible study groups. Estella was particularly passionate about the Prince of Peace Charismatic Prayer Group and the ACTS community, where she shared her faith and hope with gentleness and respect as exemplified in 1 Peter 3:15:

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."

Estella’s strength and spirit were most evident in her battle with cancer, which she faced with unwavering hope and a readiness to share her journey with others. Her resilience was a testament to her deep faith and served as an inspiration to many.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff at the Mays Cancer Center and the UT Health Multispecialty and Research Hospital for their compassionate care during Estella’s illness. Their kindness and support will always be remembered.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites friends and loved ones to honor Estella’s memory through donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a cause close to her heart.

As we say goodbye to Estella, we find solace in knowing that her legacy of love, hope, and faith will continue to live on in the hearts of all those she touched. May she rest in eternal peace.