Maria Valentina Gonzalez

It is with great sadness, the family of Maria Valentina Gonzalez, announce that she passed peacefully at her residence on the evening of December 28, 2020 at the age of 93. She was born in Goliad, Texas on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1927. She lived the remainder of her life in Houston, Texas, close to her children.

Maria was the matriarch of the Santos family, a true woman of iron with a heart of gold. She had an entrepreneurial spirit, a self-made woman with great strength, independence, and determination. Her selfless service to others was extraordinary, she loved and gave generously to her family, friends and faith. Words to describe how much Maria was loved and will be missed are immeasurable.

*A special thanks goes to her loved friend and care taker, Francisco Guajardo.

Maria was preceded in death by her 4 children: Maria S. Gonzales (daughter), Joe Santos Jr (son), Ricardo Santos (son), Joann Samaniego (daughter); siblings: Christina Rangel (sister), Juanita Fuentes (sister), Narciso Gonzalez (brother) and Johnny Gonzalez (brother), parents Cruz Gonzalez (father) and Fabiana Garza (mother).

Maria is survived by her two daughters, Sulema S. Carpio and Elvira S. Haas (Christopher K. Haas, Ret. Major General). She will be forever remembered by her 27 grandchildren, 56 great grandchildren and 16 great-great grandchildren.

Grandchildren: Michael A. Aguilar, (Margie), Joel L Aguilar, (Marilyn), Crystal L. Sturdivant, Jesse Santos, Ronnie Santos, Jo Lynn Lopez (Jesse R), Leigh A Shankle (Henry), Elizabeth C. Perry, Kayla M. Perry, Joseph N. Ortega Jr, David Ortega (Lora), Christopher Carpio Sr, (JoAnn), Suzie Galik (Daniel), Abel (Elena), Rodolfo G. DeLaPaz (Janet), Connie M. Ighweku (Stephen), Ruben DeLaPaz, Annette Vifquain (Dustin), Richard Santos Jr, Geraldo Santos, Denise M. Medrano (Martin), Kimberly J. Avila, (Kevin Avila), Jonathan Tamayo, (Ruby V. Yerena), Dana R. Fulghum (Joshua J.), Joshua N. Campbell, Marshall R. Haas, Christine K. Haas

Great Grandchildren: Brianna M. Lara (Hugo), Alexis M. Reyes (Luis), Samuel L. Aguilar, Bianca N. Hilko, Chelsea R. Steadman (Jason), Jacob A. Sturdivant, Jonah L. Sturdivant and Joshua A. Sturdivant, Christian J. Castillo, Alex T. Coronado, David A. Lopez, Alyssa J. Lopez, Sabrina C. Lopez, Kane H. Lowery, Shawn L. Rogers, Mystery A. Rogers, Zane G. Goldsmith, Terry M. Dinger, Tatum M. Perry, William J. Warhol IV, John D. Ortega, Rachael D. Ortega, Priscilla D. Ortega, Kaleb M. Ortega, Tristan J. Ortega, Vanadie C. Carpio, Christopher Carpio Jr, Juan, Isaiah, Gisselle, Nathen, Noah, AJ Garcia, Ariana Garcia, Emma Garcia, Tommy A. DeLaPaz, Rodolfo G. DeLaPaz III, Jonathan A. Ighweku, Joshua N. Ighweku, Jacinda R. Mireles, Mariah G. DeLaPaz, Diamond A. DeLaPaz, Ruben G. DeLaPaz Jr, Joseph J. DeLaPaz, Michael A. DeLaPaz, Zayden DeLapaz, Abrianna E. DeLaPaz, Cora Vifquain, Melissa M. Medrano, Matthew M. Medrano, Kevin J. Avila, Destiny R. Tamayo, Aliyah J. Tamayo, Juliana I. Fulghum, Ethan J. Fulghum, Caleb M. Fulghum

Great-Great Grandchildren: Ava I. Hilko, Lilyanne R Aguilar, Victoria J. Coronado, Adrianna L. Coronado, Malina S. Lopez, Xariyah J. Lopez, Priscilla Moreno, Dominic A. Rogers, Stella L. Rogers, Katalina K. Dinger, Ethan D. Hoyos, Carmelo X. Ortega, Eli M. Hoyos, Noah P. Carpio, Jamison A. Carpio, Thomas L. De La Paz

A Celebration of Maria V. Gonzalez’s life will be held from 1p.m. to 3:30p.m.Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Fwy, Houston, Texas 77039. The viewing starts at 1pm, followed by Family Pastor Ben Coronado officiating the Chapel service at 2:30p.m. and the burial will proceed immediately after at Brookside Memorial Park and Cemetery.