Carmen "Melin" Gonzalez Vazquez,90, of Columbia, died on Friday, July 26, 2024. Born April 23, 1934, in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, she was a daughter of the late Eleno Martinez Gonzalez and Dionisia Ortiz Rivera Gonzalez.

In 1952, at the age of 18, she married Alberto Monzon "Rigo" Vazquez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Due to her husband's enlistment in the military, she moved to the United States for the first time in 1954. Carmen proceeded to have a large family. Carmen would raise eight children all while living in the United States, Germany, and Puerto Rico.
Carmen's primary focus in life was her home and children. She excelled at being a homemaker and never met a stranger. She would often invite a newfound friend she met at a restaurant or the commissary on base to her home for dinner and a lifelong friendship would ensue. Carmen was known for her fantastic cooking abilities as well as her love for family and friends. Hospitality was truly her specialty. Her resilient and persevering nature aided her in raising eight children, surviving the passing of two children, and a cancer diagnosis. Carmen never forgot anyone's birthday, especially her grandchildren. She would often fret that she couldn't send them all gifts on their special day. She had a very caring spirit, but her greatest gift to everyone was her love.

Survivors include her devoted husband of 73 years, Alberto Monzon "Rigo" Vazquez; children, Edharold G. Vazquez, Antonio G. Vazquez (Karen Copeland Vazquez), Edgar G. Vazquez, Alberto G. Vazquez (Jacqueline C. Vazquez), Duane G. Vazquez (Debbie A. Vazquez), Linda V. Wilhelm (Philip M. Wilhelm); grandchildren, Bettina M. Vazquez, Philip C. Vazquez (Michelle McDonald), Jose A. Vazquez, Natasha N. Hart, Matthew D. Vazquez, Michael J. Vazquez, Ashton E.V. O'Connor (Jared T. O'Connor), Angelia M. Fulton (William Fulton), Christina V. Locklear, Benjamin M. Wilhelm and Joseph E. Wilhelm. Her great grandchildren are Marissa N. Garcia, Carmen S. Hart, Kamryn M. Hart, Gavin A. Vazquez, Elizabeth M. Vazquez, Gabriel C. Vazquez, Abigail A. Fulton, Zachariah M. Fulton, Remington C. Fulton, and Autumn A. Locklear. Carmen is also survived by nieces, Manuela Lopez, Carmen Lopez; great niece, Vivianette Cabrera, Awilda Irizarry, Alesia Monson Davis and many other nieces and nephews in Florida, New York and Puerto Rico as well as is long-standing friends here in Columbia and Puerto Rico. She will be greatly missed by everyone.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by sons, Rigoberto G. Vazquez and Edwin G. Vazquez and many siblings.

The funeral service for Mrs. Vazquez will be held at 11:30 o'clock, Monday, August 5th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC. Burial will follow at 1 o'clock, at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Rd., Columbia.

The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 10:30 o'clock.

The Vazquez family would like to extend their many thanks to Saluda Nursing Center for the wonderful care provided to their mother while she was a resident of their facility.

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.