Grace Silva Dennis

Grace Silva Dennis, 71, a 48-year resident of Amarillo, Texas, passed away peacefully in her home on Lawson Lane in Amarillo, March 12, 2017. A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 24 at 10:00 AM at Hillside Christian Church, 6100 Soncy Road, in Amarillo, Texas in honor of Graces life. Arrangements are by Rector Funeral Home Osage Chapel, 2800 S. Osage St. Grace was born September 12, 1945 in Clovis, New Mexico, and was raised, along with her three brothers, in the Silva family home by her mother, Adelina, and her grandfather, Jose. She graduated from Clovis High School in 1963. Grace attended Eastern New Mexico University where she was introduced by a mutual friend, Jack, to the love of her life, Fred Dennis II, at a school dance. The two fell in love, and married on August 14, 1965. Fred, an airman in the USAF, was ordered to the Philippines, separating the two. While deployed overseas, their first child, Eric, was born in Clovis. When Fred returned, Grace vowed that they would never be separated again. After brief stays in California, Minnesota, Michigan, and New York, Grace and her fledgling family moved to Amarillo in 1969. She and Fred had two more children, girls Laurie and Melissa, and the family firmly planted their roots in the panhandle of Texas. In 1978, Grace went back to college, diligently taking night classes as she worked full-time at the Texas Department of Human Services as a social worker. In 1987, she graduated with honors from West Texas State University at the age of 41. Grace was a loving daughter, granddaughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and cousin. Family meant everything to her, and she valued nothing more. She served as a social worker for over 40 years, and was involved in numerous charitable organizations, giving her time and money freely to all those who needed it. Grace was preceded in death by her mother, Adelina Silva; her husbands parents, Fred and Martha Dennis; her husband of 43 years, Fred Dennis II; her brothers, Henry Silva and Larry Silva; and her nephew, Blake Silva. Grace is survived by her son, J. Eric Dennis (and Kim) of Amarillo, Texas; her daughter, Laurie Dennis Wolfgang of Dallas, Texas; her daughter Melissa Dennis-Araujo (and Felipe) of Chicago, Illinois; her brother, Robert Silva (and Sharon) of Amarillo, Texas; her sister-in-law, MaryLou Dennis Wylie; her grandchildren, Seth Herring, Lauren Dennis, Brett Herring, Toney Gracen Araujo, Beck and Freddie Wolfgang; her nieces, Angelique, Krista, Zoe, and Qiana; and her nephew, Brice Silva. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Amarillo-Panhandle Humane Society or Meals On Wheels. Post condolences, tributes, and fond memories at www.rectorfuneralhome.com. SERVICES Memorial Service Friday, March 24, 2017 10:00 AM Hillside Christian Church 6100 S. Soncy Road Amarillo, Texas 79119