Mary Lou Gomez

Mary Lou was born on the 25th of January in 1944 and attended Corpus Christi schools, graduating from Roy Miller High School in 1961. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Corpus Christi. She also pursued graduate studies at the same institution. Mary Lou started her career in education as a teacher’s aide working in Corpus Christi schools. She enjoyed 33 years as a public-school teacher with the Gregory-Portland School District and later with the Bishop School District. After retiring from the public school system, she went on to teach another 8 years at Holy Family Catholic School. Teaching came naturally to her. She touched the lives of countless children who remember her fondly as “Miss Gomez.” Her goal was to make every child feel special and loved and as such succeeded in this endeavor.

Mary Lou met the love of her life while in high school. She and Emilio began their journey together on November 3, 1963. During their 57 years of marriage, they were seldom apart for longer than a few days. They loved spending time with their children and later with their grandchildren. They arranged cookouts, trips to Mexico, adventures in the Valley and San Antonio, and impromptu celebrations with family and friends. Her family was always first and foremost in her life. She became “Yozer” to her family as she was lovingly called by her first grandchild. She looked forward to taking small journeys with her grandchildren and traveled all over the country with them. She took special care to plan individual events and activities for each and was always ready to attend football games, schools events, and, especially, their celebrations and weddings. As she forged relationships with each grandchild, she nurtured them and created memories which will support them throughout their lives as they now build families of their own.

Mary Lou is preceded in death by her parents, Herminia Falcon Valdez and Carlos F. Valdez. She is survived by her husband, Emilio; son, Carlos (Charlie) Gomez (Cynthia) and her daughter, Korina Santiago (Juan). She is also survived by her sister, Herminia Martinez (Arnulfo); sister-in-law, Herminia Solis (Baldemar†); eight grandchildren, Scott Gomez (Nicole), Kirsten Brown (Troy), Cody Gomez (Victoria), Elizabeth Santiago, Jonathan Santiago, Emily Santiago, Mikael Santiago and Brittany Nava as well as four great-grandchildren, K-Syn Gomez, Arabella Gomez, Catalina Gomez, and Sawyer Brown. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary Lou was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, cousin and friend. She did everything with grace and a smile on her face. She enjoyed cooking for her family and was always ready to plan a feast. Her Mexican Rice and Tamales were legendary! She made her home a place where everyone was welcomed. She looked out for her neighbors and helped those in need. She especially enjoyed gathering with her friends, the “Lemonade Ladies,” for some good conversation and fellowship. Indeed, her legacy of service to her family, primas and primos, her neighbors, and her friends will live on in each of us who had the great pleasure and honor of having her in our lives. She will be greatly missed.

We would like to thank family and friends for the outpouring of kind words, flowers, and other gestures of support. The family would also like to express its gratitude to the staff at the Christus-Spohn CVICU Unit for the professional, loving, and gentle care offered to our mom.

Pallbearers will be Scott Gomez, Cody Gomez, Jonathan Santiago, Mikael Santiago, Carlos Martinez, and Daniel Martinez.

Visitation will be held at Funeraria del Angel, 549 Cheyenne St., on Sunday, July 25, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm with the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 pm that same evening.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Catholic Church, 2509 Nogales St. on Monday, July 26, 2021 at 10:00 am.

Interment will follow at San Pedro Cemetery, 1928 US 77, Odem, TX at 12:00 pm.

Fond memories of expression may be offered at www.funerariadelangelcheyenne.com or our Facebook Page: Funeraria del Angel Cheyenne