Mrs. Maria de Jesus Chavez-Longoria (Lita), the Longoria family Matriarch, 95 years old, of San Antonio, TX, went to be with the Lord on May 24, 2024. She was born in Luling, Texas on August 7, 1928 to Natividad Chavez and Teresa Ybarra-Chavez. She was married to Reynaldo M. Longoria for 53 years until his passing in 2006.
Maria is survived by her daughters, Susie Longoria, Rosie Herrera, Mary Lou Alvarez (German), Margaret L. Quintanilla (Anthony) and sons, Reynaldo Longoria Jr. (Patricia), Jerry Longoria (Delores), and Jesse J. Longoria (Gilda Granado). She was also blessed with 19 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. Survivors also include her sister Teresa Lara, brother Paul Chavez, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Maria walked into the Gates of Heaven on May 24, 2024 holding hands with her great-granddaughter Sarah Elizabeth Herrera who passed away within an hour of her passing.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Reynaldo M. Longoria, her son-in-law Robert Herrera, Sr. and eldest Grandson Bobby Herrera, Jr. She was also preceded in death by her father Natividad Chavez, her mother Teresa Ybarra Chavez, her sisters, Francis Ortiz, Mary Haynes, Virginia Meyer, and her brothers Antonio Chavez, Mario Chavez, Juan Chavez, Florentino Chavez, and Natividad Chavez, Jr.
Maria was a true woman of faith! She instilled in all her children her Catholic faith and hard-working ethics. Even though she passed, she left each of her children her spirit of being unique and was her children’s role model! She was a devout Catholic and an active member of the Guadalupanas at St. Clare Catholic Church for more than 50 years. Maria was ahead of her time and was admired for being brave and having the courage to speak out for what she believed in. She was one of the founding members of C.O.P.S. (Communities Organized for Public Service) in her community. She always advocated for the less fortunate in her parish and community and was a strong advocate for voting rights and education. At the age of 52, Maria earned her G.E.D. and always encouraged everyone to continue their education. Maria was very sociable and always loved to visit and laugh with family and friends. She will always be remembered for her greetings which always included a blessing: “God Bless You” and “Thanks Be to God”, with a fond “I Love You”. We are grateful for the loving legacy she left in our hearts!
Funeral visitation will be held Sunday, June 9, 2024, at Trevino Funeral Home-Palo Alto, 2525 Palo Alto Road, San Antonio, Texas from 2:00-10:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m.
On Monday, June 10, 2024 visitation at Trevino Funeral Home will be from 8:00-10:00 a.m. Procession will depart at 10:00 a.m. to St. Clare Catholic Church, 7701 Somerset Road, for a Mass service at 10:30 a.m.
Interment to follow at San Fernando Cemetery #2, 746 Castroville Road, San Antonio, Texas.
