Mercedes Nassar

Mercedes Gonzalez Nassar passed away peacefully at her home in Houston, Texas, on July 17, 2025, at the age of 87. Born on September 18, 1937, in Ciudad Guzmán, Jalisco, Mexico, Mercedes migrated to the United States at the age of 12, with her mother (Maria), her brother (Jose) and her twin sister (Rosa) forging a new life with courage and resilience.

After moving to Houston TX, she met and married Jorge H. Nassar. They later moved to Prescott, Arkansas where they raised seven sons. She proudly became a U.S. citizen in 1967, a milestone that reflected her deep gratitude and commitment to the country she came to call home.

Mercedes was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose greatest joy was her family. Mercedes is survived by her ex-husband Jorge, her seven sons (Jorge Jr, Tony, Jaime, Victor, Cesar, Hector & Carlos) six daughters-in-law (Traci, Katie, Candace, Orsi, Jen & Ana Maria) ten grandchildren (Christopher, Camille, Ben, Anna, Alexandra, Luke, Sam, Elena, Olivia and Elijah) and nine great-grandchildren. Mercedes is also survived by her twin sister, Rosa, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her mother, brother, nephew and great grandchild, Niko.

Her family was the center of her world, and she was a source of strength, warmth, and wisdom to all who knew her. To each of them, she was a constant source of strength, kindness, and unconditional love, a guiding presence whose legacy will echo for generations.

A lifelong learner and passionate educator, Mercedes embodied perseverance and grace. While raising her seven sons, she earned her high school diploma and later completed a degree in education at Southern Arkansas University and continued with post graduate studies. After completing her education, she worked helping migrants transition to work in Hope, Arkansas. Soon after, her journey led her to working as a translator in the oil and gas industry, Houston Court system and eventually fulfilling her dream with a career as a teacher. By teaching English and Spanish, she inspired countless students with her gentle wisdom, unwavering encouragement, and her generous heart. She dedicated herself to teaching English as a Second Language, helping newcomers navigate their own immigrant journeys—offering not only just language, but also hope and belonging. In her spare time, Mercedes enjoyed music and art, educational books, was a season ticket holder of Museum of Fine Arts Houston and had a strong interest in learning about different cultures. She also loved her flowers keeping active in her garden and exercising in the swimming pool at the gym. She loved visiting with her family members and had mentioned to nieces that she wanted to learn to ice skate, and perhaps she would do so when she made it to heaven. Mercedes was actively involved in the Society of the Guadalupanas, a charitable religious associations organized by Mexican American Catholic Women, to provide leadership in social concerns and performing works of charity while fostering female development and leadership. Here she forged lifelong friendships with wonderful women that were by her side to the end.

We are deeply saddened for the loss of her physical presence, but eternally grateful for the fact she is no longer in pain. As a believer in Jesus Christ as her savior, Mercedes is now at her true home with our Lord.

Services will be held on July 31st at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Houston, TX at 9:00 am followed by the burial at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, where family and friends will gather to honor her remarkable life.

A visitation for Mercedes will be held Wednesday, July 30, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023. A funeral service will occur Thursday, July 31, 2025 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, 11011 Hall Rd, Houston, TX 77089. A committal service will occur Thursday, July 31, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023.