Maria Elena "Molly" Arevalo

Maria Elena Arevalo (66) was called to heaven on May 15th, 2023. She was the youngest of eleven siblings, born on June 7, 1956, in Burleson County, Texas, to Ben G. and Estela Galindo Arevalo, but everyone called her “Molly”.

As a child and a young woman, Molly led a very protected life because of her Down’s syndrome. All too often and especially in those days, people with Down’s syndrome experienced stigma and discrimination because of their learning disability and because of this Molly’s interaction with the world outside of her family were closely monitored.

Molly’s speech was limited but she had no issue making herself understood and those there were often around her, had no trouble understanding her. She was sweet, loving, and she never met a stranger. She loved to shake hands, give high fives, and hugs. Anytime she would encounter another person with Down’s, she would often indicate, “look, they’re like me”. She found comfort in seeing herself represented in the world by others with the same disability.

Molly was adventurous, kind, and very protective of the people she loved. She carried and changed diapers for many of her 26 nieces and nephews, and was mostly responsible for all the nicknames they had as children.

Molly lived a big life on a small scale. She loved getting manicures, going shopping and rest assured she always found something to buy. Molly enjoyed dressing up, going to the movies, eating out, and absolutely loved to dance. She was a big fan of older tv shows and would often compare people to JR Ewing from “Dallas” and Fonzie from “Happy Days”. Playing the slot machines was another one of her favorite hobbies and she became very familiar with most of the Louisiana casinos.

Molly attended MHMR Life Choice Center, a day-hab for people with disabilities, where she made many lifelong friends. One of her favorite morning routines, before being dropped off at the day-hab, was going for breakfast at the Kettle Restaurant with her brother-in-law Tommy Munoz.

Molly led a full life and in her later years had the opportunity to travel. She took her first airplane flight in 2007 to Florida to visit her niece, Army Captain Misty Munoz, who was stationed at Patrick Air Force Base. While in Orlando, she was able to go to Disney World, Universal Studios and visit Melbourne Beach. Her second flight came in 2009, when she flew to Los Angeles, California, to visit her niece Misty once again, during her trip she went to San Monica Pier and Pa Changa Casino in Temecula, California.

From 2007 until the final years of Molly’s life, she was loved and cared for, by her sister and brother-in-law, Margaret, and Tommy Munoz, fulfilling a promise that Margaret made to her mother.

She is preceded in death: by her parents; brothers, Joe Arevalo, Bennie Arevalo Jr., Paul Arevalo Sr.; nephew, Patrick Arevalo and brother-in-law: Lorenzo Alonzo.

She is survived by sisters, Beatrice Perez and husband Adam, Maria Alonzo, Janie Martinez and husband Jesse, Margaret Munoz and husband Tommy, Estela McCartney and husband Forrest; brothers, Jimmy Arevalo and wife Irene, Benjamin Arevalo and wife Tonya; and sisters-in-law, Adelina Arevalo and Martha Arevalo.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, May 20 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 5 – 7 pm with a rosary service at 7:00 pm at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan.

Pallbearers are Molly’s nephews, Adrian Arevalo, Jack Arevalo, James Arevalo, Roberto Arevalo, Gabriel Arevalo, and Matthew Martinez.