Maria Isabel Cervantes

Maria Isabel Escoto Razo was born on July 9, 1950 in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. Born to Alfredo Escoto Villa† and Maria Matilde Razo García†, Maria Isabel was one of 9 children: Lole, Chapis, Yaya†, Tita, Alfredo†, Daniel†, Panchis, y Paula†. According to her siblings, Maria Isabel was one of the youngest and most pampered children of the house.

At the young age of 14, she studied and graduated with a degree in commercial accounting on June 30, 1964 from the Mexican Institute of Administration in the city of Monterrey, N.L., Mexico. In her teenage years, she used to travel to Laredo, TX with her mother where she helped manage purchases which they would resell in Mexico to support the home. She said that those trips were very tiring, but she took comfort in knowing that she would be rewarded with a hotdog, a soda, and a huge apple. As a young woman, she liked to attend dances. On one of those occasions, she met one of the members of the Tigres del Norte in person and would recount the story with so much excitement.

Maria—or Chayo, as she was affectionately known—was a woman of Faith who loved her family dearly. She enjoyed crocheting, shopping, eating in restaurants, and watching the Astros as she was a big fan of Jose Cruz. Her favorite pastime was talking with her Comadre Gloria and watching novelas, especially a Turkish one called “Fatmagül,” from which came her celebrity crush: the actor Engin Akyürek. She was also very adept at technology since she always had her computer and smartphone with all kinds of apps and social media at hand.

Maria Isabel married at the early age of 17, from which she raised 4 children, Isabel Guadalupe, Filiberto Victor, Luis Angel, and Maribel. She left 12 grandchildren behind who loved her dearly—Vicky, Angelica, Marcos, Alyssa, Amanda, Amaris, Nicolas, Victor, Luis, Alani, Alina, and Jonathan—and one who is with her in heaven: Alan†. She loved her 2 great-grandchildren: Gabriel and Teresa. And she loved everyone with all her heart. She was a great mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, wife, comadre and friend. She was a being of light for anyone who needed comfort or support. She always proved to be a great person, respectful, kind, and affectionate with everyone.

She left us unexpectedly on October 16, 2023 at the age of 73. She is now in the arms of our Lord along with her deceased parents and relatives. Her children and grandchildren will miss her but will keep her alive in their hearts forever.

May she rest in peace. So be it.

A visitation for Maria will be held Thursday, October 19, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023. A rosary will occur Thursday, October 19, 2023 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023. A funeral mass will occur Friday, October 20, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, 11011 Hall Rd, Houston, TX 77089. A committal will occur Friday, October 20, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ForestParkLawndaleFH.com for the Cervantes family.