Mary Theresa Longoria Perkins

Mary Theresa LaVolpicella Longoria Perkins passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 28, 2021, three weeks after celebrating her 82nd birthday. Born on January 8, 1939 to Nicholas and Mary LaVolpicella in Port Sulphur, Louisiana, Theresa was the epitome of style and grace in all she said and did. She had an incredible capacity for love as is well-evidenced in the legacy she leaves in her very large and loving family.

In 1956, at 17 years old, Theresa was crowned Plaquemines Parish Orange Festival Queen. She won the crown wearing number 17, which became her life-long favorite number. Theresa travelled the country representing her great home, meeting dignitaries and even sharing a dance with then Vice President Richard Nixon. After her reign, she began her first semester at Loyola University in New Orleans, where she met and married Joseph Louis Longoria on June 6, 1957.

Joe and Theresa were married for 30 years and had a full, blessed, and abundant life together. In 1965 Joe and Theresa moved to Dallas where they built a home in Lake Highlands and raised their family.

Theresa had an affinity for bookkeeping and worked for several companies including Dresser Industries and Southern Methodist University. She also supported her husband’s entrepreneurial endeavors at General Medical Systems and Longoria Industries Incorporated. After his death in July 1987, Theresa kept using her accounting experience and skills for Ram Jack of Texas and Holy Trinity Catholic Church as well as having several independent clients of her own until she formally retired in 2018.

Those who knew Theresa best know that she really dedicated her entire life to her children, most of all to her precious, special-needs child Sheryl. Theresa took flawless care of Sheryl, always tending to her every need, making sure she had a vibrant and meaningful life. In the era before special-needs children were included in the public-school system, Joe and Theresa joined the cause championing that every child, regardless of their mental or physical capacity, be able to receive a public school education. In part, their pioneering and tireless efforts resulted in the current school system that is inclusive of all children, including those with special medical needs.

Theresa’s retirement years were spent by Sheryl’s side almost every single day, passing the time with reminiscences of their lives. Theresa marveled and boasted about Sheryl’s photographic memories of the names and birthdays of bus drivers, care givers or teachers and any other person Sheryl met along her way.

Despite all the obligations on her time, Theresa had the uncanny ability to make each of her children feel completely loved. Theresa managed to rarely miss any of her children’s sporting events, performances, or any other activities. She was always there, cheering them on and basking in great pride. She attended countless similar events of her grandchildren including travelling and tailgating to collegiate athletic competitions. You’d always find Theresa there, stylishly adorned in the colors and mascots of those teams or waiting in an atrium after their performances.

In her many years as a volunteer, Theresa was a scouting den mother, managed countless cookie and popcorn sales, conceived and organized an affordable school supply plan for the families at St. Bernard’s and was involved with countless musical productions at Bishop Lynch High School as her children and grandchildren were involved in the performances.

Theresa also instilled in her children a deep and meaningful understanding of their Catholic faith and an incredible work ethic. At one point or another, each child worked in the family business. This work ethic was additionally reinforced as the family spent more than 5 years delivering the Dallas Morning News. The income from this paper route helped to pay the tuition for their Catholic education at St. Bernard’s and Bishop Lynch High School. Theresa’s quiet encouragement, sacrifice and determination were invaluable lessons for her family.

In the last years of her life, Theresa revived her love for sewing and embroidery and never passed up a chance to play Scrabble or complete the daily crossword puzzles using an ink pen, of course.

In 2009, after reminiscing during a Buras High School reunion and on an alumni Facebook page, Theresa reconnected with her childhood friend, Jay Bubrig. Jay and Theresa’s relationship grew into love and constant companionship. They shared a love for Lifetime and Hallmark movies as well as a great baseball game. They had a penchant for entertaining their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren at one of Theresa’s impeccably –and seasonally -- decorated dinner tables. She was an amazing cook, known for, among other things, her oyster dressing, red beans and rice, shrimp creole and corned beef stew. Thanks to her, her children know it all starts with a patient roux.

Theresa is survived by her loving companion, Jay Bubrig, her children Maria and John Farrell, Joe and Brenda Longoria, Jeff and Rose Longoria, Theresa Allen and Anna Sorrell, James and Tamae Longoria, Michele Longoria and Sheryl Longoria, 21 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren, her brother Nick LaVolpicella, sister Barbara Caballero (Cabbie), Margaret Allen (Donald), sisters-in-law Mary Alice Sears and Jean Danna and a host of nieces and nephews.

Theresa was preceded in death by her parents Nicholas and Mary LaVolpicella, husband Joe Longoria, husband Dean Perkins, and infant daughter Jennifer.

Most of all, Theresa loved her family dearly. She was happiest just to be with any of them at any time and for any occasion. Her legacy and love will live on forever.