Maria Luisa Villegas

Maria Luisa “Mom” Villegas Ruiz, 90, of Missouri City, Texas, departed this life peacefully on October 31, 2023. Born January 16, 1933, in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, she was one of six children born to Teresa Nuñez and Albino Ruiz.

Having lost her father when she was only 8 years old, Maria Luisa and her siblings were raised by their mother and had to start working at an early age to help support the family. The family lived in Ciudad Juárez and eventually moved to El Paso, TX to pursue a better life.

Maria Luisa met the love of her life, Luis Antonio Villegas, and they were married in Ciudad Juárez on July 14, 1957. Maria Luisa and Luis had five children and they made their home in El Paso and later moved to Houston, TX. Mom Villegas was a dedicated housewife, and her family meant everything to her. She loved her Novelas, music, dancing, and was an excellent cook. She was a devout Catholic, prayed a daily rosary and was a long-time member of the Legion de Maria and Las Guadalupanas.

In addition to her parents, her sisters Isabel, Guadalupe, Teresa and Ofelia, Maria Luisa was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, and her son Luis Antonio Jr. Left behind to cherish her memory are her children, Teri Smith and her husband Rob of Houston, TX, Cristy Jennings and her husband Tom of Missouri City, TX, Angie Andrews and her husband Chuck of Lake Jackson, TX, and Albi Villegas and his wife Gabi of Houston, TX. She also leaves her brother Albino Ruiz of El Paso, TX, as well as 11 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She is already greatly missed.

A visitation for Maria will be held Monday, November 6, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77077. A rosary will follow starting at 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

A funeral mass will occur Tuesday, November 7, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 705 St Theresa Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77498. A committal service will occur Tuesday, November 7, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM, 12800 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77077.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestparkwestheimer.com for the Villegas family.