SAN ANTONIO – The rosary for former Texas State Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon was held at the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church on Wednesday.
McClendon, 74, died last week after a long battle with cancer.
Longtime SA state Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon dies
Some friends of the former state representative said they are remembering McClendon not only for her service to the community, but also for the "down-to-earth" person that she was.
Marge Reyna began working for the state representative in 2004 as the district director and retired when McClendon did in January 2016.
She said she met McClendon in the 1980s, before McClendon served on the San Antonio City Council from 1993 to 1996.
McClendon was elected to the Texas House in 1996 and served District 120 for the next two decades.
Reyna said McClendon was proud of the Timothy Cole Bill, creating an exoneration review commission, which investigates wrongful conviction.
San Antonians remember longtime state Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon
However, Reyna said McClendon was also a voice for the people.
"Now we're just going to remember her for the person that she was," said Reyna. "The good person. The good soul. The life of everything, but I will miss her. I will miss her dearly."
Reyna said McClendon was also a family friend and that she will miss her smile and her laugh.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.
The funeral procession will then head to the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, where McClendon will be laid to rest.