Makala Cruzita Rangel, 15, of Granite Falls, passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
Makala was born December 17, 2009 in Caldwell County to Emilio Rangel and Jenny Smith Rangel. She was a freshman at South Caldwell High School and a very talented soccer player, playing for both junior varsity and varsity teams. In addition to playing indoor soccer at the Hudson Recreation, Makala enjoyed a variety of hobbies, including the love of music, as well as dancing, drawing, and playing video games. She was also a member of the beta club, where she was able to volunteer in and around the community. Makala also went to Victory Temple Full Gospel Church. She was also in NJROTC as well as FFA.
To know Makala was to love Makala. She had a contagious smile, and to many people Makala was a bright, loving, caring, and compassionate young lady who loved her family and friends deeply; and of course, the love of soccer she had. She especially loved her younger brother Elijah Rangel, and her younger sister, Natalia Rangel giving piggyback rides as well has her older brother Gabriel Smith, teaching her how to play soccer, and playing card games. So many memories made with her friends and family. She brought joy to everyone’s lives. She was the light of the night; she had a heart of gold. Makala will be truly missed by so many.
She is preceded in death by her grandfather, Ruben Macedo Piedra; and cousins Adrien Cordova and Jaleyha Cordova.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her siblings, Emilio “Elijah” Rangel, Gabriel Smith, and Natalia Rangel; grandparents, Brenda Smith, Antonio Garcia, Reyna Rangel-Valdez, and Emilio Rueda Maldonado; and greatgrandparents, Trinidad Valdez Ávalos and Jose Rangel Garcia. Also surviving are uncles, Abel Smith, Xavier Simental, Antonio “Allen” Garcia, Jose Simental, and Mario Garcia; aunts, Leticia Rueda Rangel, Susana Rangel, Debbie “Faye” Hernandez; and numerous cousins, great-aunts and great-uncles.
A funeral service will be held on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at 3:00 PM in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Service with Padre Alfonso Gámez.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, prior to the service from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Service.
Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory in Valdese is assisting the family.
So sorry for your loss
Jenny (and family). I was heartbroken to hear about your beautiful daughter. I can’t imagine the pain you are going through. But stay strong in your faith. The Lord will help you get through this. He has His arms around you always. You will be in my prayers for a long time. ❤️
You don’t know me but I have been praying for you and your family. My church also was praying for Makayla last Sunday. We are still praying for her family. So sorry for your loss.
Ot has been a very emotional week in our home
The meaning of this girl to BOTH of my children and our family….there are just no words! I have just cried and cried watching those videos but after seeing the people she has helped and knowing her heart went to another teenager…whew! God is good! All I can say is they better be ready for the love and joy it will put out bc our girl was a light. She had her bad days of course but she always gave her all and always tried to be positive. She will be missed but I know God had a reason. We can dwell on the hurt or we can choose to see God’s plan in action in all the lives she allowed to touch and let live on! Man what it would be to be able to hear that heart beat once more. I pray in time you will. She served a Purpose here on this earth. She was the best of friends and brought joy to others lives that may not have had the privilege to get that at home! Now parts of her will live on and that’s the way God meant for it to be!
Thank you for raising such a beautiful, loving, caring, joyful, smart and talented young lady! We love you Makala and your memories will live on in us. Thank you for your friendship for Allysa and for being like a daughter to me. Thank you for taking up for Allysa no matter what and sticking up for her always. Thank you for putting her in her place but loving on her the same way
You can never be replaced so know we won’t even try. Thoughts of you (though it hurts now) will bring us joy and laughter through the rest of our days as we have laughed at your dances and your soccer mishaps and the fact that now Allysa won’t wash her socks or jersey bc (“Makala always said it brought bad luck to wash it”). It will bring a smile to my face everytime I smell the stinky gym bag knowing that those socks and that jersey won’t be washed until the end of the season.
Let God take care of you now and watch over us as I know you will and are already (being the mother hen that you were 😂)
We love you forever Makala!!! ❤️🙏🫶
Jesse, Jessica, Allysa and Colton
Prayers and lots of thoughts and love for her family and friends such a young and beautiful soul gone way too soon my heart breaks for her and family and friends❤❤❤❤❤
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of your beautiful daughter Makala. May God comfort you and your family as you remain in our thoughts and prayers. ❤️❤️🙏🙏
Susan & Tom Ray and Iva Ottofaro
I’m so sorry your life ended so soon, but you are so loved by so many. You have touched the hearts of everyone. You will live on in the hearts and minds of those who love you and they will meet you again one day. Fly high sweet angel!
We are praying fervently for your family. There is so much heartache and tears …. she was a lovely beautiful lady, and loved to watch her play as did my daughter. She will be missed. Love ya Jenny and we’re hear if you or your family need anything.