Lucia Granado Valdez was born in Fort Davis, Texas on March 9, 1924 to her beloved mother Dorotea Dutchover Granado and father, Lucio Granado. Lucia, affectionately referred to as Mama Lucy died in the presence of her devoted son, Roberto G. Valdez and her daughter-in-law Alice E. Valdez on February 16, 2021 in Pearland, Texas.
Lucia is a descendent of Anton Diedrck and Refugia Dutchover, founders of the West Texas town of Fort Davis. Mama Lucy married Francisco S. Valdez. She gave birth to Roberto G. Valdez and he was the center of Mama Lucy’s universe. She cared for and loved him unconditionally for 76 years. She taught Roberto to be a kind, loving and supportive son, husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
Roberto married Alice in 1969. Alice gave birth to Clarissa L. Valdez in Houston, Texas in 1973. Mama Lucy devoted her time to caring for and loving Clarissa unconditionally for 46 years. In April 1979, Francisco passed away. While dealing with the huge loss of the family patriarch, the family welcomed Frances E. Valdez into the world. Mama Lucy also cared for and loved Frances unconditionally for 41 years. Mama Lucy helped to raise Clarissa and Frances. She spent countless hours cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, in pick ups from school and rehearsals, and attending performances.
Clarissa married Aaron Cernosek in July 1997. They brought Luca F. Cernosek, Petronilo B. Cernosek and Rumaldo R. Cernosek into the world. Mama Lucy cared for her great grandsons well into her 90s. She took pride in cooking, cleaning, and loving three generations of Valdez children.
Frances married Nelly Lopez in October 2016. They brought Francis A. Lopez Valdez into the world in June 2020. Mama Lucy loved the pictures and visits with “Frankie” and was pleased to learn that he was named after her husband Francisco “Franke” Valdez.
Mama Lucy loved to laugh and she was most jovial when around her mother, siblings and scores of nieces and nephews and close friends. Out of 6 siblings, Lita Marin is her surviving sibling who lives in El Paso, Texas. Mama Lucy expressed love through her joking nature and through her world class tortillas de harina y frijoles. The scent of grilled chile often wafted through the house. She relished in telling you, “no esta picoso” after tasting the chile or salsa you bought or made for her. It was a huge point of pride for anyone who could actually find chile that she deemed picoso. Mama Lucy loved animals. She was also mother to Chiquita and Watson and grandmother to Jack, Remi, Roo, Maggie, Adelaide, Tortilla and Blossom. She longed for a compassionate world where we cared for those less fortunate. Her loving and giving spirit was tied to her unwavering belief in God.
Mama Lucy was the foundation for the Valdez family. Her love and labor at home allowed for us to focus on our education, our work, our passions, and our dreams. We would be nothing without her and we miss her dearly.
