"What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose,

for all that we love deeply becomes part of us."

Carlota “Charlie” Antonieta Zarate Flores devoted wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and passionate Dallas Cowboys fan, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home, surrounded by loved ones at the age of 85.

Born on July 20, 1941, in Brooks County to Julian and Aminta Zarate. Charlie enjoyed her childhood growing up in Encino, Texas with her sisters, Sofia and Yolanda before moving with her family to Edinburg. She was a proud graduate of Edinburg High School, class of 1965.

Because Charlie had such a kind and beautiful personality, she quickly made so many dear friends at her various jobs and through her many hobbies.

In 1974 she began working at Texas A&M Extension Service in Weslaco, where she enjoyed a 30 year career before her retirement in 2004.

Beyond her career, she was a dedicated member of Our Lady of Mercy Church, enjoyed quilting with her dear friends in the Queen Bee’s Quilting Club, and meet weekly for lunch with the ladies. She possessed a true spirit of adventure, never turning down an opportunity for a road trip or a new experience. Her most cherished contribution was the creation of Memory Bears. These handmade keepsakes were a labor of love that brought so much joy to those who were honored to have one of her bears to cherish.

Charlie’s greatest joy was found in her family. She took immense pride in her role as a grandmother to Samantha Julian Flores and Isabella Avila, and as a great-grandmother to Juliana Flores. She was never without a smile when cheering on her beloved Dallas Cowboys or enjoying a morning breakfast at Whataburger.

Charlie’s kindness, creativity, and the “sparkle in her dimples” will be deeply missed by all who had the honor of knowing her.

Charlie is preceded in death her parents, Julian and Aminta Zarate, and sisters, Yolanda Zarate and Sofia Arechiga. She is survived by her spouse Policarpo "Polo" Flores, daughters, Sandra Aminta Hernandez (Michael) and Sofia Andrea Avila (P.R.), two grandchildren, Samantha Julian Flores and Isabella Sofia Avila, and one great grandchild, Juliana Sandrene Flores.

The Flores family will welcome friends on Thursday, August 13, 2026 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with a rosary to be prayed at 6:00 PM in the Chapel of Peace, Ceballos-Diaz Funeral Home, 322 East Kuhn Street, Edinburg, Texas. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, August 14, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 501 East Kuhn Street in Edinburg. Services for Charlie will conclude after the mass. Honored to serve as pallbearers will be: Michael Hernandez, Patricio Rene “P.R.” Avila, Bryan Reines, Grady Carliste and Jorge Castillo. Funeral services have been entrusted to Johnny Garcia, Funeral Director/Manager and staff at Ceballos-Diaz Funeral Home of Edinburg.