I was holding up on sharing any information because I will never release any personal information on anyone without permission. Now it’s okay to reveal Little Joe’s tragic loss.
It was at 12:05 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15 when Little Joe called to catch me up on the latest sad news of his wife’s passing, who peacefully died at home surrounded by her entire family.
“Cris died Thursday morning (October 10), and I had to leave Friday. It was the hardest thing I had to do but I got it done. I got it done,” Little Joe repeated as his voice cracked, overcome with emotion and stress of a heavy heart from having to honor a commitment.”
It was in 1955 Little Joe, then a then 14-year-old cotton picker, met Criselida “Cris” Cantú. However, it was not until Wednesday, February 21, 1962 that they exchanged matrimonial vows at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Temple. That adds up to 69 years of being together and it is said there is no greater loss than that of a spouse.
“We were together sixty-nine years,” Little Joe continued as his voice trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. “Then, when I got back, my dear sister Lupe passed away four days after Cris (October 14).
“Again, I wasn’t going to say anything about Lupe, but I love my sister, and people should also know that she’s gone. She would have been 92 in December. And every year I’d try to do something special for her on El Día de La Virgen de Guadalupe, on the 12th (1932).
Although Lupe is Little Joe’s oldest sister, his older brothers Antonio Hernández aka Top and Porfirio Hernández aka Quila were born before her and preceded her in death. It’s also sad to note that youngest brother, Jesse went to be with our Lord and Savior at the tender age of 22.
“So yeah, there’s a lot of pain in the family but I haven’t said anything to anyone. But I’m getting all these calls and texts, and I appreciate them; but it’s hard for me to answer them because it’s hard for me to talk. I appreciate all the people, and I feel all the love, but it’s difficult to have conversations with everybody.
“So, I thought you’d want to know and post it for me. I wasn’t going to say anything, but you know, the word gets out.”
In regard to the viewing and burial, Little Joe said, “I don’t know what’s happening there. Christie (his daughter) has her hands full and just yesterday I signed the paper to have her cremated. But we’re in no rush. We’re going to take our time, do everything slowly and do it well.
As for his sister Lupe, he said he still doesn’t know anything because all this has been one blur. How heart-rending and traumatic, especially in view that Little Joe’s 84th birthday is on Thursday, October 17.
“I’m doing a podcast for Jonny Ramírez on the 21st, which is Monday. I told him we were still on. Then I posted a quote our dad (La Cotorra) would always say, ‘Para Morir Nacimos’ (‘We were born to die’). That’s not much of a condolence, but that’s life.
I’ll be in San Antonio Monday because I have something else to do with Channel 5. And you know, these things (commitments) have to be done (honored) regardless. I’m bewildered and confused, but I’ll be okay, and I have to get them done.
That’s why my family wanted out of me. Whether I had the guts or not. That’s what they wanted, expected and demanded of me. So, I gotta get it done.”
For those that are not familiar with Little Joe’s story, he became the head of the family in 1956 because his two older brothers were serving their country as U.S. servicemen.
“He was only 15, but we looked up to him as an adult,” said his sister Carmen. Since then, he has been the head of la familia.
In closing, when I first learned of Cris’ passing, I was in shock and at a loss for words since I have known her as long as I’ve known Little Joe. I have been a guest at their warm cozy home for up to ten days. So, I got to enjoy the frijoles and other dishes she prepared for Little Joe. I also remember the weekends that I stayed behind and went to Mass where I saw her kneeling in deep devotion praying for Little Joe, their daughter Christie, her son-in-law, Tom Cruz; and their three sons Ivan, Iky and Ady.
So, I immediately conveyed my most felt condolences, which also have been shared by his countless friends and fans. Now she is resting in peace in God’s loving arms.
Yes, now is a period of great sorrow for Little Joe and his family. Thus, I beseech everyone to include them in prayer to give them the strength to cope with their two losses.
For more information also view Johnny Hernández’s Facebook post.
