Carmen Alvarado July 23, 1950 ? December 9, 2009 Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Carmen Alvarado, age 59, of Austin, Texas , went Home to be with the Lord, Wednesday, December 9,2009, after a courageous battle with liver disease. Carmen was born on July 23, 1950 in Mexico to Ildefonso Castillo (deceased) and Victoria Mendoza (deceased). Carmen, affectionately known as ?Wela?, devoted her life and love to God, family and friends. Carmen?s faith ran deep and was evident in the ways she served and blessed her family, friends, and even strangers, whose paths crossed her. She was a faithful member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church where she loved to worship and take the grandkids to VBS each summer. She owned El Zarape Restaurant on Cesar Chavez where her family recipes nearly made her famous! Carmen took such pride in her children, delighted in her grandchildren, celebrated life, loved to cook, enjoyed a good Mariachi, made frequent trips to Mexico to visit family, had such hope in her sparkly eyes, and made life warmer just with her presence. Carmen is survived by her loving husband of 41 years Hector, three daughters, Blanca Rowley (Kevin) of Pflugerville; Peggy Alvarado (Ruben), Amy Alvarado, and son Fernando (Esther) of Austin. Grandchildren Zachary, Hannah, Jake, Kimberly Rowley; Eric (Jessica) and Chris Alvarado; Lexi Cantu and Savannah Rae Karmyn Silvas. Great-grandchildren Jaydin and C.J. Alvarado. Serving as pallbearers will be Eric and Chris Alvarado, Zachary and Kevin Rowley, David Maldonado, and John Paul Estrada. The family wishes to receive family and friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 pm on Sunday, December 13, 2009 at Mission Funeral Home Serenity Chapel, 6204 South First Street, Austin. Prayer Service 7:00 p.m., Sunday, December 13, 2009 at the Mission Funeral Home (South). Mrs. Alvarado will Lie In State 9:00 a.m. Monday, December 14, 2009 at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 200 Brushy St., with a Funeral Service to follow at 10:00 a.m. Entombment will follow at Cook-Walden Capital Parks, 14501 N. IH 35 (Pflugerville,Tx.)