May 10, 1944 – April 13, 2025
Surrounded by her loving family, Maria Elena Garcia Rodriguez went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on April 13, 2025, at the age of 80.
Born in Alice, Texas to Agustin Garcia and Sofia Trejo Garcia, she was the eldest of 14 children. As a child, she cherished Western "Roy Rogers" movies and could often be found at the theater, sharing that love with her younger siblings. She had a deep passion for music and was an avid reader throughout her life.
Maria graduated from William Adams High School in 1962. That same year, she married, the late Jose Rios Rodriguez. Together, they moved to Corpus Christi and started a family. Maria worked as a cafeteria aide at James W. Fannin Elementary, where many of her children and grandchildren attended. She also served as a surrogate parent to special needs teens at the Boken Camp Residential Facility.
Her strong faith in Christ led her to serve faithfully beside her husband, a pastor, as a devoted nursery worker and supportive wife.
Maria was known by many names, each a reflection of the special place she held in people's hearts:
Mache to her cousins, Helen to her siblings, Sister Elena to her church family, Mary to some friends,
and lovingly as Mom, Grandma, or Grams to her children and grandchildren.
She welcomed everyone into her home with warmth and love—her children’s friends, her grandchildren’s friends—many of whom came to know her simply as "Mom" or "Grandma."
Maria was a gifted artist and crafter who loved sewing, macrame, and painting one-of-a-kind T-shirts for her children and grandchildren. She filled her home with music, often singing while cooking in the kitchen. Her sons fondly remember her teaching them to dance in the living room, and her daughters treasure the life lessons she taught them—lessons in strength, love, and grace.
She was the embodiment of the Proverbs 31 Virtuous Woman—a devoted Christian, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and wife.
She leaves behind a legacy of love and faith in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren: Children: Jose Adan Rodriguez Sr., Mario (Yvonne) Rodriguez, Noemi Rodriguez, Gloria Elena (Albert) Rodriguez Garcia, and special niece Jeannie Rodriguez. Grandchildren: Jose Adan (Veronica) Rodriguez Jr., Robyn Marie (Rene) Rodriguez, Christopher James Gomez, Aaron Mikkel Gomez, Mario Rodriguez II, Alorah "Lola" Dannielle Elena Rodriguez, Kay Lee Curtis, Danielle and Henry Mendoza, Laura, Albert Jr., Moses, and Nicole Garcia., Great-grandchildren: Alyssa Jade Benitez, Chalice Shine Gomez, Delilah and Santos Garcia, Siblings: Maria Luisa (Esteban) Lopez, Agustin (Laurie) Garcia, Rojelio (Jean) Garcia, Mark (Tracy) Garcia, Diana (Joe) Mata, Luis Garcia, Sofia (Philip) Weld, and Ester Judd.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jose Rios Rodriguez; her parents, Agustin and Sofia Garcia; and siblings Delia Garcia (infant), Jose Angel Garcia, Juan Garcia, Maria Refugio Kollman, and Miguel Garcia.
She was also a cherished aunt to many nieces and nephews, known affectionately as Aunt Helen or Tía.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Nurse Jennifer and NP Amber for their compassionate care and attentiveness that made Maria feel truly seen and heard during her home visits.
She will be dearly missed by everyone she touched with her love, kindness, and unwavering faith.
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