The family of Samantha Erika Cruz “Rivera” will gather to recite the Holy Rosary at 7 pm on Friday, October 15, 2021, at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers. Mass will be celebrated in honor of Samantha’s life of 28 years at 10 am on Saturday, October 16, 2021, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Lubbock, Texas. She passed on Monday, October 11, 2021. We invite you to view the live-streamed service on this page, sign her virtual guestbook, and download her memorial keepsake folder to your device for printing.On November 30, 1992, God blessed Manuel and Angie Flores with a precious bundle of joy, Samantha Erika in Clovis, New Mexico. She was the first blessing to their family. She filled all the empty spaces they never knew they had. Her parents did everything they could for their baby girl. Samantha started her family soon after high school blessing them with their first grandchild, Michael. He is the kindest, most loving boy, who showed his momma how much he loved her every day. Twenty-three months later, she blessed their family with the second grandchild, Emevoli. She is the spitting image of her mother, attitude included. Whoever knew you could love someone as much as your own children. Samantha had many dreams. One she accomplished a few months prior to her passing, getting the job of her dreams. She was so happy and excited to become part of the TTU family. Samantha had two younger brothers who adored her deeply. Her oldest little brother, Manuel, is currently serving in the United States Air Force. He came down to visit just days prior to her getting sick. Those two had a bond like no other. It always made her happy to see and talk to him. Her youngest little brother, Julian, had an interesting relationship with her also. Even though they liked to have deep conversations, the love for one another was undeniable. Julian loved her so much he gave her fiance, Andre Rivera, a job during Covid shut down so he could still provide for his family. Samantha was such a great mother. She always did activities with her children, from making crafts at home with them to making funny videos together. She would share special moments like making sure they got all dressed up for the mother-son dance or the father-daughter dance. She loved to cook and share her masterpieces on social media.Samantha was loved by many. Since her passing, the family has seen a lot of people commenting how beautiful she was, inside and out, how she cared so much for others, she had a heart of gold and a wonderful smile. Samantha’s faith in God developed at such a young age. She had a hunger to know His word and followed it to the best of her abilities. God blessed her with a beautiful voice. She would sing all the time as a child and loved singing to her children. She will be missed, always in our hearts, and never forgotten.Survivors include her children, Emevoli and Michael Rivera, her parents, Manuel and Angie Flores, siblings, Manuel Flores, Julian Flores. Samantha is also survived by her (relationship) Andre Rivera, maternal grandfather, Manuel Cruz, Sr., and his wife, Dianna, and paternal grandfather, Manuel Flores.She was preceded in death by maternal grandmother Virginia Cantu, paternal grandmother Janie Flores.
