Maria Vera

Maria P. Vera, 84, has gone to join her beloved husband in heaven on January 15, 2014. Maria is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Antonio Vera, her son, Marco Antonio Vera, parents, Tomas and Marcela Aguilar Pedraza; brothers Alejandro Gonzalez and Felipe Pedraza. She is survived by her loving children, Diana Kirkendall, Javier (Linda) Vera, Patricia (Jorge) Valdez, Leticia (Luis) Jimenez, Graciela (Abelardo) Garza, Darlene (John) Baker, Alejandro (Alicia) Vera, and Antonio (Irene) Vera Jr.; grandchildren: Elizabeth (Lazaro) Ramirez, Sheila (Enrique) Alvarado, Mark A. Vera Jr., Robert Vera, Lilia (Matthew) Trevino, Javier R. Vera Jr., Elizabeth Jimenez, Michael Vera, John T. Baker Jr., Leslie Vera, Alex Vera Jr., Loryn Vera, Allie Vera and Antonio Vera, III. Also surviving her are sisters Lucy Timmons and Angelina Galan. After sending her last and youngest child off to school, Maria, fondly called Mary by all who knew her, returned to school where she enrolled in health courses and received a certificate from Laredo Junior College with satisfactory completion of courses in the Community Health Aides Program. Because of her high marks in this program, Mary was hired by then Director of the Health Department, Jose L. Gonzalez to work in their WIC (Women Infant and Children) Program. Mary retired from the Health Department after 17 years of employment. At the time of her retirement, Mary had the longest tenure with the Health Department having been with the WIC program almost from its inception. During the course of her employment she was happy to have made many friendships that endured even after her retirement. Mary always believed in a good work ethic and was always involved in community events. She work during local elections, serving with PTA organizations and booster clubs while her children were in school and contributed untiringly of her time and efforts. Her passing leaves family and friends suffering a great loss that is immeasurable. Like her husband, Mary instilled in all her children a good work ethic and a sense of pride in everything they undertook. She was always willing to lend a helping hand wherever needed. Consequently visitors to her home were many. She was known for her ability to spread enjoyment and happiness to all around her. The family wishes to express their gratitude to Dr. Dennis Cantu for the special care he has provided for many years. Visitation will be held Sunday, January 19, 2014 from 5 to 9 in the evening at Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels, 719 Loring @ Cortez, Laredo, Texas. A Vigil for the Deceased will be recited at 7 p.m. Funeral Procession will depart on Monday, January 20, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. from the funeral home to St. Joseph Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 a.m. Maria will be interred in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Javier R. Vera, Javier R. Vera, Jr. , Alejandro Vera, Antonio Vera, Michael Vera and Alex Vera Jr. Honorary Pallbearers: Jorge Valdez, Abelardo Garza, Lazaro Ramirez, Enrique Alvarado, John T. Baker, Mathew Trevino, Lou Jimenez, Marc Vera Jr., and Robert Vera.