Maria de la Luz "Luz" Badillo

Luz was born to Juan and Tomasa Soliz Escobar on August 5, 1929 in Steele Store, Texas. At a young age, Luz would travel the country with her family as they worked in seasonal agriculture. As the only daughter of the family, she took on the roles of homemaker and mother, taking care of her brothers and household responsibilities.

In the early 1950s, she met and married the love of her life, Felimon Badillo, Sr., of Gause, Texas. Together, they raised their family of two sons and three daughters and settled in Bryan, Texas.

As a mother, Luz always put her children first. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, baking and gardening. For a short time, Luz worked at Texas A&M University in custodial services, however, her true calling was a dedicated mother and grandmother.

She spent much of her later life taking care of her numerous grandchildren, attending their various dance recitals, school functions and graduations.

Though Luz never had the opportunity to attend school, she taught her children and grandchildren the most important life lessons; how to love others and the importance of putting others before yourself. In addition, Luz was a very spiritual and Godly woman. She was a member of Santa Teresa Catholic Church, where she was an active Guadalupana. She loved others deeply, and she was deeply loved.

Luz is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Felimon Badillo, Sr.; her three brothers, Pedro S. "Pete" Escobar, Ascension S. Escobar and Refugio S. “Ray” Escobar; son-in-law, Tony “T-Boy” Ramirez; granddaughter, Brittany Ann Hernandez and her beloved dog, Pinto.

She is survived by her sons, Felimon Badillo, Jr.; Richard Badillo and his wife, Lisa; three daughters, Vangie Ramirez and her husband Martin; Sylvia Ramirez and Terri Hernandez and her husband Pete; nine grandchildren Martin Ramirez, Jr., Matthew Ramirez, Brittany Badillo, Sarah Badillo, Victoria and James Garcia, Catherine Badillo, Richard (RJ) Badillo, Jr., Kimberly and Jeremy Wilson and Brian Hernandez, as well as two great-grandchildren, Alysia Ramirez and Tatum Wilson. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and friends.