She was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on October 29, 1938.
Maria was married to Andrew M. Botello for over 50 years and worked for Mr. and Mrs. Butt as a caregiver and for various other residents in Corpus Christi. She was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church.
Maria had a passion for music, garage sales, and dancing.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Luis Zapata and Maria Zapata; two brothers, Bentura and Juan Zapata and an infant daughter, Nilda Botello.
She is survived by her six sons, Arturo (Janie), Armando (Debbie), Andrew Jr., Noel, Richard, Joel (Priscilla); 5 daughters, Diane, Belen, Nila (Luis), Ruth Ann (Jacinto) and Amy; 29 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; sisters, Cecilia Diaz and Ambrosia Balderez.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 12, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Memory Gardens Funeral Home with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 7:0 p.m. that same evening.
Chapel Service will be held on Monday, March 13, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Memory Gardens Funeral Home with interment will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.
