Mary Rodriguez Reyes was born in the state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico July 23, 1937 to parents: Julian and Santiaga Rodriguez. Her family were migrant farm laborers, working across the midwestern United States and as far as California. They had a home in La Feria, Tx. Mary grew up with 14 living siblings, and had a twin sister. She was naturalized at the age of 18 in 1955.
Four years later, in 1959, Mary eloped with her first husband in Oklahoma City, OK. They had four children together. In 1970, Mary and her family moved to Gilroy, Ca to be closer to her parents and siblings. After moving to California, Mary returned to field work. She raised her four children alone. Mary began working for Harden Farms in the early 1970s. She met her husband, Everett Reyes, in 1976. They were married in January of 1979.
In 1980, Mary and Everett moved to Salinas. Together they raised a pug named “Boo”. Mary and Everett had many friends, and enjoyed many years of life together. In 2005, they moved to Coalinga, living out the remainder of their lives together.
Mary is survived by her four children, Robin Hoefler, Melba Rangel, Allen Heck and Andrew Heck, 9 grandchildren, and many great grandchildren.
A visitation for Mary will be held Wednesday, January 3, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720. A funeral service will occur Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 10:00 AM, 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720. A committal service following the funeral service will occur at St Peters Cemetery, 264 N Blyth Ave, Fresno, CA 93706.
