Her family will receive friends at Whitley’s Funeral, 1748 Dale Earnhardt Boulevard, Kannapolis, North Carolina 28083 on Thursday, May 28, 2020 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A visitation for Maria will then be held Saturday, May 30, 2020 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Fountainhead Funeral Home, 7359 Babcock Street SE, Palm Bay, Florida 32909. The graveside service will occur Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 2:00 PM at Fountainhead Memorial Park, 7303 Babcock Street SE, Palm Bay, Florida 32909.
Maria was born October 2, 1926 in Orocovis, Puerto Rico, a daughter of the late Jose Jimenez and the late Juana Vazquez. She was the youngest of seven children. In addition to her parents, Maria was preceded in death by her first husband, Thomas Rivera, Sr.; her son, Thomas Rivera, Jr.; her second husband, Anthony Verdicchio; and five of her siblings.
In early years, Maria worked in the garment industry as a machine operator and then later in a carnation nursery. She was loving and generous and was known as everyone’s “Mama” where ever she lived.
Maria is survived by her sons, Jesus “Jesse” Rivera (Olga) of Knoxville, Tennessee and Carlos Rivera of Kannapolis, North Carolina; her daughter, Carmen M. Rivera of the family home; her stepson, Jerry Verdicchio (Diane) of Palm Bay, Florida; nine grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great-grandchildren; and her sister, Josefa Ramos of Tampa Bay, Florida.
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