Little Joe Mourns Third Family Loss

Photo courtesy of Ramón Hernández Archives

TEMPLE, TX — Our hearts go out to Little Joe who lost his wife and oldest sister last month.

Sad to tearfully report, yesterday, November 23, 2024, Caroline Hernandez Ríos, who was the only one out of thirteen siblings to be born in a hospital, went to be with our Lord and Savior.

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She was named Carolina as a gesture of gratitude her mother, Doña Amelia, had for the nice nurse who held her hand and attended her during delivery.

On September 5, 1965, Caroline wed former Latinaire band member, Roy Michael “Mike” Ríos, then a bass player with Shorty and the Corvettes.

On September 13, 1987, Caroline and her mother, Doña Amelia,were present when her brothers, LittleJoe andRocky, sang “DeColores” and “Viva La Virgen de Guadalupe” for Pope John Paul II at a gathering at Guadalupe Plaza, which faces Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

On June 5, 1993, when Doña Amelia received the “Parent of the Year” award from AVANCE in a ceremony held at Our Lady of the Lake’s Thiry Auditorium. All her daughters – Lupe, Mary, Carmen, and Caroline – were present to proudly witness their mother’s special recognition. It was also this year that Caroline’s daughter, Jessica Marie, was added to the staff of Tejano Discos, where she continues to work for her famous uncle.

In Temple, Caroline worked at Scott and White Hospital. But SanAntonio held a special place in their heart because of the aforementioned. Later, she was the one that took care of their mother at her home for which Little Joe was so grateful.

Now God has reunited Caroline with her parents, Santiago “La Cotorra” and Amelia Hernández; her brothers: Antonio “Top,” Porfirio “Quila, and Jesse. Plus, her sisters Clara, Lupe and Mary.

Caroline is survived by her two daughters, Jessica and Mary Jane: her son, Michael Shawn, five grandchildren and seven grandchildren. Also, brothers Jimmy “La Avispa,” Little Joe, Johnny and Rocky; plus, her sister Carmen.

As Little Joe grieves, he thanks everyone for the thousands of condolences via text, e-mail and on Facebook that he is unable to individually respond to due to the high number. In the meantime, pray for the Hernández and Ríos families during this sorrowful period in their lives.

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