Maria Y. Franco

Maria Magdalena Yanez Franco, 82 years old, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. Born in Mercedes Texas on August 26, 1942, she was one of 11 children born to Tomas and Francisca Elisondo Yanez.

Maria moved to Corpus Christi where she graduated from beauty college in 1962 and met her husband, Felipe, who were married for 62 years. Maria expanded her education and graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor’s & Master’s degree in Education as an Early Childhood Specialist. She was a devoted member of the Most Precious Blood Catholic Church serving as a Eucharistic Minister. Maria was an educator for the Most Precious Blood Catholic Church Private School as a kindergarten teacher and was an instructor for the Corpus Christi Literacy Council and the Refugee and Immigration Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) which educated individuals offering US citizenship preparation classes.

Maria was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Maria is survived by her husband Felipe, children Gracie (Harold) Brundidge, Mary Alice (Gilbert) Gatica, Phillip (Melve) Franco, Tom (Paula) Franco, Grandchildren Katrina (Marcus) Sanchez, Raymond (Meghan) Guerra, Phillip (Jacqueline) Franco, Gilbert (Micaela) Gatica, Joe Oliva, Jeremy (John) Oliva, Austin (Briauna) Ardion, Miranda Franco, Kaitlyn Franco, Kaylee Franco and Great Grandchildren Trae Sanchez, Cody Ardion, Parker Guerra and Alessandra Franco.

Maria Y. Franco’s legacy of love, faith, and education will continue to shine in the lives she touched. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered. May she rest in eternal peace, until we meet again.

A visitation for Maria will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at Memory Gardens Funeral Home from 6:00pm-9:00pm with a Holy Rosary being recited at 7:00pm. A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 10:30am at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.