eriya's story

Eriya Breanne Ruiz passed away on June 2, 2023, at the age of 15.

Eriya was a compassionate girl with beautiful hair, green eyes, dimples, and freckles. She was born on October 25, 2007, to James Joel Ruiz and Dolly Marie Dixon. Growing up with her siblings Jimmy and Madelyn, Eriya loved to play restaurant drive-thru when she was little. Barely able to talk, she would ask in her baby voice, “May I take your order, please?” She also loved putt-putt golf and often pretended to work at a beauty shop.

One day, Nana Edna was getting her nails and makeup done by Eriya. Eriya applied a bottle of fingernail polish on her hand—so much that the makeup made her look like a clown, which didn’t bother Eriya one bit. Two hours later, when the plumber came to fix the busted water pipes, he kept giving Nana odd looks. She had forgotten she still had the makeup on! Eriya loved spending time with her nanas, and at the age of five, Eriya would take them to all the shoe stores—especially to try on heels.

As she grew into a young lady, Eriya was involved in many activities. A rock hound, she was a member of the Gulf Coast Gem & Mineral Society for eight years and amassed an impressive collection of rocks and crystals. She was also an eight-year member of the Corpus Christi United Little Miss Kickball League, receiving a kickball all-star award. Eriya often mentored young players and encouraged girls to do better.

At Adkins Middle School, Eriya was part of the track and tennis teams and enjoyed running 5Ks. She received a crossing-guard award, tennis awards, and track and cross-country awards. Like many her age, Eriya loved TikTok and dance—especially recording TikTok dances and taking selfies. Her favorite music included Olivia Rodrigo, Selena (“Dreaming of You”), Beyoncé (“Heaven”), and Adele (“Easy on Me”).

With her expensive taste and love for shopping, she was always in the market for a “new car.” Although Eriya wasn’t focused on money, she did love beautiful things. She loved her James Avery bracelets and “love” ring, her simple necklace, and Kate Spade bags. She enjoyed shopping for dresses for school dances and had the best taste—able to coordinate outfits from a very early age.

Eriya was learning to drive at the ranch and the Bill Witt parking lot and was looking forward to taking driving classes that summer. Even though Nana Rita said she would never tell, she remembered Eriya driving in her car with her. Nana asked her to stop at the two-way, but Eriya didn’t hear her. They were headed into another car, but luckily the driver stopped and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

As a student who had just finished middle school and was on her way to Veterans Memorial High School, she wanted to be on the drill team and was ready to practice, practice, practice.

She enjoyed fishing with her parents and baking cookies with Nana Rita and Maddie. Eriya liked Chick-fil-A, Chinese food, and seafood boils, with strawberry cake for dessert. Pickles, strawberries, and smoothies were her go-to snacks. She loved scary movies and wound down with sweet tea or lemonade. She rooted for both the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Longhorns.

Eriya loved her family and had the kindest heart. She always told them how much she loved them and often brought gifts for family that she knew would touch their spirits. She was so proud of her brother Bubba being in the Navy and loved flying to Chicago for his graduation from basic training. She loved how her sister Maddie was becoming a great mom. Aunt Eriya was proud of her niece Camilla! She took care of her dad in her own way. She was very proud of him and enjoyed spending time with him. Her mom Dolly showed her how to make necklaces, bracelets, door wreaths, and birdhouses.

Family time was important to her, and she made wonderful memories during weekends at Rockport, beach trips, fishing with her family, floating the lazy river, going to Louisiana, and staying at the Golden Nugget. She loved listening to her nanas tell stories about their family. They will remember her saying, “Nana, you are extra.”

“No, Eriya—I am extra for you.”

Eriya was humble and a natural leader. Faithful to the Lord, she was beautiful inside and out. She loved going to Church Unlimited with her friends, prayed, and read “A Young Woman After God’s Own Heart.” She always gave everyone a chance, supporting the underdog and encouraging her peers to keep trying and never give up. She was definitely not a quitter. With her “can-do” attitude, she taught others to be positive and grateful as well.

A good student who made As and Bs, Eriya was learning to be independent but was willing to ask for help when she needed it. She was becoming aware of the autism spectrum and discovering that love and compassion conquer all. Her family will fondly remember her as their “muchacha loca”—their crazy girl.

Eriya leaves behind her dad James Ruiz (Lisa), her mom Dolly Dixon, her brother Jim Dixon, her sister Madelyn Dixon (Rick), her niece Camilla, her nanas Edna and Rita, Uncle Joshua, Uncle Beno, special cousins Abby and Andres, and special family members Carlos, Jasmin, Beyonce, and Marisa—the “Extras.” Her furry family members include pets Ozzy, Roro, Bone Daddy, Remy, Bestie Boy, and Gypsy Rose.

She is reunited with her Grandpa Joel, Grandma Ella, Uncle Jake, and Grandma Diane.

Her family would like to thank Adkins Middle School faculty, Gulf Coast Gem & Mineral Society, Corpus Christi United Little Miss Kickball League, Eriya’s classmates, best friends, kickball teammates, coaches, Just for Kix, and everyone who had a positive connection with Eriya.