Maria De La Luz Aponte Tijerina

Maria De La Luz Tijerina, of Taft, Texas, passed away on Thursday, November 3, 2011, at the age of 73. She was born in Chelpansingo Guerrero, Mexico, on June 1, 1938, to Pablo and Maria Aponte. Maria was a homemaker and a devoted member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Jesus and Guadalupe Aponte.

Maria is survived by her husband of fifty-five years, Manuel Tijerina, Jr. of Taft; two daughters, Alicia (Bernardo, Jr.) Aldape of Houston, Texas and Adelina Chapa of Taft; four sons: David (Olga) Tijerina of Deer Park, Texas, Estevan (Nancy) Tijerina of Sinton, Texas, Ricardo Tijerina of Taft and Francisco (Teresa) Tijerina of Meadows Place, Texas; sixteen grandchildren and twenty-three great-grandchildren; three sisters: Rosa Maria Benitez , Maria Elena (Jesus) Saldivar and Oralia Barrera all of Fresno, California; one brother, Narcisco (Juanita) Longoria of Tacoma, Washington; her caregiver, Ronica Gonzalez; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

The family would like to give special thanks to her caregivers, Ronica Gonzalez and Judy Norman, Guardian Home Health and Christus Spohn Shoreline Hospital for the loving care they gave Maria.

Visitation will be Sunday, November 6, 2011, from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home Chapel with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. that same evening. Funeral Mass will be Monday, November 7, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with burial to follow the service at Taft Memorial Park.