Maria Olivarez Gonzalez

Maria was born on February 23, 1931 in Sinton, Texas. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She was the wife of our father the late Jesus Munoz Gonzalez.

We believe they have resumed dancing together arm in arm where they had left off. They were church members of Christ the King Church, and now both are in Jesus Christ's arms.

Maria loved being in the kitchen. It truly was her favorite place to be. Pan tostado y cafecito and homemade tortillas quemaditas con mantequilla were part of everyday, along with arroz caldudas and beans and numerous savory main dishes like picadillo fideo, carne guisada, albondigas etc. Even her fried bologna on salami sandwiches were so much better when she made them. We used to eat here instead of making our own because it wouldn't taste the same. All she made was blessed and made with love.

But her real passion was dancing with our dad. They were padrinos literally every Friday and Saturday for someones, quinceanera, sweet 16, and weddings. On wedding anniversaries and on Thursday an dSunday afternoons they would go to the "Tardiad" ( afternoon dances ). They were called by their family and friends Fred Antoine and Rita Haywood as they glided across the dance floor. A long lifetime of dancing that her mobile till the very end.

Maria is preceded in death by her husband Jesus Munoz Gonzalez, her mother Augustina Chapa, her father Manuel Olivarez, sister Lupita Gonzalez, brother Mike Olivarez, and her twin brother Jose Olivarez.

She is survived by her 4 children Jesus Leonel Gonzalez Jr. (Norma Linda), Diana Ann Shaw (Sam), Lloyd Joseph Gonzalez (Cindy), Elizabeth Irene Horn Vieyra (Pastor Stephan). 9 grandchildren, Wendy (Rick) Salazar, Lloyd Joseph Gonzalez Jr., Crystal (Aaron) Gonzalez, Deanna )Ben) Marsalis, Jesse Leonel Gonzalez III, Gabriella (Michael) Dudelyn, Dominique Smith (Sergio), Mark Smith (Kassandra), Kory Smith. 9 great grandchildren Karissa Salazar, Kaylee Ritger (Aric), Emma Salazar, Kristianne (Gavin) Williams, Samantha Salazar, Ryan Salazar, Atom Gonzalez, Atticus Pineda, Elle Sosa, Sylvie Sosa. 4 great great grandchildren. Camilla Salazar, Kaylani Johnson, Khamari Johnson, Astrid Williams.

We would like to thank all the nurses and physical therapy that kept her exercising to keep her mobile to the very end, and to Harbor Hospice in Portland Texas who kept our dear mother in comfort in her last days and moments. Thank you to the rest of our family, friends, loved ones, and Begin Again Church of a Second Chance and Spiritual Growth home for men and women, for all the prayers and support.

A visitation for Maria will be held Monday, May 19, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 8200 Old Brownsville Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78415. A holy rosary will occur Monday, May 19, 2025 at 7:00 PM, 8200 Old Brownsville Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78415. A continue visitation will occur Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 9:00 AM, 8200 Old Brownsville Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78415. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 10:00 AM, 8200 Old Brownsville Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78415. An entombment will occur Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Memory Gardens Mausoleum, 8200 Old Brownsville Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78415.

Pallbearers will be Jesse Leonel Gonzalez Jr, Lloyd Joseph Gonzalez, Mark Drake Smith, Kory Saxon Smith, Lloyd Joseph Gonzalez Jr., and Jesse Leonel Gonzalez III.