Maria (Mary) Piedad (Herrera) Oviedo-Lyles, our precious and beloved mother passed away peacefully at home in San Antonio, TX on July 16, 2024. Mom was 84 years old and was the proud daughter of Pedro Herrera and Consuelo Trevino Patino. Mom was preceded in death by both her parents, father, Pedro, and mother, Consuelo, her beloved husband and our father, Martin Gallardo Oviedo, Sr., her eldest son, our kind and loving brother, Michael John Oviedo, and her beloved baby brother John C. Obadal, Jr. She is survived by her loving and caring children, daughter, Gina Maria Oviedo Lopez and son, Julian Martin Oviedo (Sonia), grandchildren, Julianna Marie and Alexandra April Lopez (Marisol), Gabriella Katarina and Emma Micaela Oviedo, John Martin and Jacob Michael Lopez and Julian Martin Oviedo, II (Morgan), loving sister-in-law, Hortencia Obadal, nephews, Charles, Christopher and Jason; beloved cousins, Lupe Alcorte, Yolanda Gonzales and Gloria Ramirez, and numerous other family members and friends in Texas, California and Nebraska.
Mary was a 1957 graduate of Fox Tech High School and attended the University of Incarnate Word for four semesters until she decided to focus on raising and caring for her three children. Mary had an entrepreneurial spirit and opened a Mexican restaurant when she was 19 with her mother, before she married. She worked as a school secretary in her early 20s for the Ella Austin Community Center where she fell in love with the privilege of serving the community, social justice and the development of others, especially underprivileged children and families who encountered economic-challenges and minority bias. Like her own humble beginnings, attending Horace Mann Middle School, Mom grew up very poor and often spoke of having to drink sugar water instead of milk while cared for by her mother who made a meager income and often experienced bias in the 50s and 60s, as a Hispanic single mother. While working as a secretary, mom met, fell in love and married our handsome Daddy, Martin Gallardo Oviedo, Sr., and settled in the Highland Park neighborhood raising their three children. Mom lived in her home even after daddy died in 1983 focused on ensuring her family remained in a stable environment. Mother was very strict and very protective of her children, often sacrificing her own needs and worked at one time three jobs so she could support her family. She worked for a non profit agency, SER - Jobs for Progress, Inc., for 12 years as a Job Developer/Counselor, helping young adults achieve and earn a high school equivalent certificate or GED, so they could transition into productive jobs and improve their economic quality of life. Mom loved her job and helping others, and took pride in her work and in assisting her co-workers. She continued to maintain her friendships until her passing… their love will never be forgotten. As a single mother, Mom instilled in her children a strong work ethic and the importance of working towards a better future, helping others along the way to achieve a positive holistic outcome for everyone. To supplement her income and support her family, Mom earned her real estate license and helped so many realize the dream of home ownership in San Antonio. Mom, was also an avid believer in civic responsibility and giving back to the community, especially when the economy was tough for her and so many. She volunteered at Santa Rosa Hospital in the elder ward with her daughter, Gina, and also at the food bank, as well as the Raul Jimenez Annual Thanksgiving Dinner, and strongly encouraged her children to volunteer in the community. Mom served on several committees, in San Antonio, including helping former Ed Garza during his campaign on City Council and on his mayoral campaign. Not one to sit idly by, and after Mom retired from SER, while working both as a real estate agent, and as a Walmart greeter, Mom started a family daycare business, called Fun Factory Learning Center, providing love and care to children at such a tender age. Mom at one time had five centers open on the northwest and southwest sides of town. She expected her children to attend college, work part-time and become educated and committed servants in the community as well and did not want them to feel entitled so they could all grow and appreciate the blessings the Lord provides and be joyful for their selfless contributions. She encouraged her children to work on their own and realize their purpose. Mom was not afraid to take risks and was known for being outspoken about her expectations for her children and everyone in her circle. This often caused strong conversation among friends and family, when opportunities to challenge oneself to do better was presented. We are all better humans because of this experience with our mother and thankful God gave her the courage to be bold and brave for her family as a single mom. We all know she loved every single one of us with all her heart.
Mom retired from the daycare business in 1998 and enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren, traveling to California and Las Vegas to see her beloved cousins, and making late night trips for coffee with her friends in San Antonio. Mom had a stroke in 2017 and began to rely more heavily on her children. She lived the remaining years of her life in her daughter’s home while recovering from her stroke and eventual diagnosis of Alzheimer’s in 2019, and will be dearly missed. The family would like to thank her sweet and loving caregivers Martha Valdez, and her friend, Lula Langston, for providing caregiving to Mom for her children. Her children are so proud of her and the courage she demonstrated as a single mom raising strong values in them. Mom was known by her family and friends as a smart business woman and had a clever and quirky sense of humor. She continued to give guidance and tease her children, friends and family right up to the end. She always felt that there was no obstacle too large to overcome and her optimism is ever present in her children and grandchildren. Her indelible spirit, sense of purpose, and duty to others will continue to define the paths of her children and grandchildren. We are deeply grateful to everyone who was kind and compassionate to our mother recently and over the years. We will never forget you and send blessings of love to all of you and your families. Our pain right now is unimaginable, but we find joy knowing that mom is with our Heavenly Father, with our older brother, Michael, and young again dancing with our daddy. We know she will be our angel in heaven watching over all of us and believe we will see Mom again one day. We love you MORE, mama!!
There will be a Visitation on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 beginning at 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with the Rosary being recited at 7:00 p.m. at Funeraria Del Angel Trevino Funeral Home, 226 Cupples Road, San Antonio, TX 78237. On Wednesday, July 24, 2024 we will go in procession for a 10:00 a.m. at St Gerard's Catholic Church, 1523 Iowa St, San Antonio, TX 78203, followed by burial at San Fernando Cemetery II, 746 Castroville Rd, San Antonio, TX 78237.
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