Mary Arriola Lopez, age 94, of Beaumont, Texas entered into eternal rest accompanied by Angels, into the loving arms of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, while at home with family at her side on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. Mary was born on November 17, 1928 in Orange, Texas to Leonor Reyes Arriola and Pedro Arriola.
Mary grew up in Port Arthur, Texas. As a young girl, she helped out at her parents restaurant and spoke often of "making tortillas" and "cooking at an early age". In her early years, Mary worked at Texaco Island canning petroleum products. Later in life, Mary fulfilled her own dream of getting a GED and obtained a certificate as a nurses assistant.
Mary and Marcelino were married July 1, 1946. They were married for 73 years at the time of Marcelino's death. Out of this union, Mary and Marcelino were blessed with 1 son, Marcelino "Pelon", and 4 daughters, Lenora, Virginia "Ginny", Yolanda, and Rosie.
Mary was an excellent cook and served many home cooked meals. It has always amazed us how one person could prepare such a huge feast for the holidays. When you visited the Lopez home you were greeted with " would you like something to drink, something to eat?" You were not going to leave her house hungry!! After school we would come home to the oval roaster full of momma's homemade tortillas.
Mary was a gifted seamstress, sewing many clothes for her children, grandchildren, outfits for school activities, fiestas, and weddings. Blessed with seamstress talents, Mary made her oldest daughter Lenora's wedding dress. She had the gift of looking at an item, and would make her own sewing pattern out of newspaper. Such talent!
Mary loved her flowers. In her flower garden you can find a variety of roses, giant hibiscus, gardenias, Mexican petunias, gerber daisies, and succulents, among others. A caregiver at heart, Mary cared for countless family members and grandchildren. She tended to many boo-boo's, and spent many sleepless nights as she selflessly cared for others.
Mary was an independent woman, instilling that independence in her children. She was meticulous when it came to her health, as evidenced by her 94 years of life. Only over recent months had her health started to decline.
Mary was preceded in death by her father Pedro Arriola and her mother Leonor Reyes Arriola; sisters, Refugio Omega Arriola, Jessica "Jay" Frederick, Elida "Ella" Nockroes; brothers, Alfred Arriola, Pedro "Pete" Arriola Jr, Marcelino "Morris" Arriola, Manuel Arriola,; her husband Marcelino Lopez Sr; her son Marcelino "Pelon" Lopez Jr,; and her grandson Marcelino "Marc" Lopez III,; her sons-in-law Jesse Villareal and Hector De La Rosa.
Mary is survived by her sister Levintina "Levy" Delino; sister-in-law, Martha Arriola (Manuel); her dear niece Irene Pampalino of Louisiana, whom she spoke with by phone often; her daughters, Lenora Villareal, Virginia "Ginny" Morales and husband Emmitt, Yolanda De La Rosa, and Rosie Barnes and husband Robert; her grandchildren Donna Schleicher, David Morales, Christina Deskin, Michael Morales and wife Natalie, Marie Yvette Lopez, Anthony Villareal, Marlisa Lopez, Janna Barnes Shaffer and husband Preston, Ashley Barnes Reimann and husband Kristan; great grandchildren, Maddie Schleicher, Michaella Morales, Maliyah Morales, Meaghan Morales, Gia Bishop, Blaiz Lopez, Ashton Funchess, Victoria Shaffer, Kruz Lozano, Marcelino "Quade" Lopez IV, Addison Shaffer, Anabella Shaffer, Taylor Shaffer, and great great grandchild Grady Lainey Shaffer; and many nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 5:00 PM with a Rosary Prayer Service beginning at 5:30 PM. A Chapel Service will follow immediately after at 6:00 PM with visitation from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. All services will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 4955 Pine Street, Beaumont, Texas 77703.
Mary will be laid to rest the following day, Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 11:00 AM, Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr. Houston, Texas 77038.
Serving as honorary Pallbearers are Emmitt Morales, David Morales, Michael Morales, Kristan Reimann, Anthony Villareal, Ashton Funchess, Kruz Lozano, Blaiz Lopez, and Marcelino "Quade" Lopez IV.
The Lopez family would like to thank her wonderful care providers; Dr. Bertron Brown, Amy Quinn NP, Martha Selensky RN, Dr. Neil Burrell, Dr. John Henderson IV, Dr. David Januszewski, Dr. Ajith Kuriakose, Dr. Jose Ortiz, caregivers Lupita Garduno and Barbara Benk Zamora, Accent Care and Gentiva Hospice and all their caring staff, and Sharla Gonzales RN. Special thanks to Father Stephen McCrate for his spiritual support.
Special music, Go Rest High On That Mountain & When I Get Where I'm Going sung by and in memory of grandson Marcelino "Marc" Lopez, III.
Special thanks to grandson, David Morales for his assistance with preparation of audio.
Special blessings to daughter Ginny Morales, your love and talent for photography has brought each of us beautiful memories we will forever cherish.
Donations may be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) https://www.vfw.org or to the charity of your choice.
