Obituary for Legion of Mary member Maria Huerta

 

Maria H. Huerta Obituary

“Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” John 11:25-26

Our precious mother, Maria Hernandez Huerta, passed from this life to her eternal rest on June 22, 2025, in San Angelo, Texas, at the age 95. Maria was a loving and devoted daughter, sister, aunt, mom, wife, grandmother, and friend who will be missed dearly.

Maria was born on June 28, 1929, in Del Rio, Texas, where she was raised and educated. She was a graduate of San Felipe High School and was voted “Most Beautiful” during her senior year. Soon after, she met and married the love of her life, Jose Huerta Jr., while working her first job at a local department store. Maria became an army wife when her husband enlisted in the U.S. Army and was deployed to active duty in the Korean War.

Maria and Jose had five daughters and seven sons, whom they raised at their beloved home on San Felipe Creek in Del Rio. Maria enjoyed a special bond with all her children and always encouraged them to succeed in their endeavors—from school to sports. She was a proud baseball team mom who supported her sons at their games and practices, while her husband coached them and other youths from the Del Rio community. In fact, people often joked that they almost had enough players (sons) to form their own baseball team. She treasured the families met and memories made during this time.

Maria was small in stature but the most caring individual who gave her all in anything she devoted her time to. She was the rock of her family and always put their needs ahead of her own and wouldn’t have wanted it any different. Maria’s home was always filled with people, be it family or friends. She was always busy taking care of them, never complaining. She always said it kept her going and young at heart. Maria was known for her delicious meals; she enjoyed cooking and had to be creative in planning meals for her large family.

Maria was married for 36 years when her husband passed. She was a loving and devoted wife, and many saw how she took care of him when he became ill. She remained a widow for the rest of her life.

Maria was a faithful person all her life. She was a devout Catholic who loved and trusted in Jesus Christ—she never strayed from this belief system. She was a member of Our Lady of the Guadalupe Church in Del Rio and attended church regularly. She also was a member of Las Guadalupanas, a Catholic women’s group devoted to Our Lady of Guadalupe. She served as an officer for the organization and devoted her time to cleaning the church, planning fund raisers, visiting the sick, praying the rosary, cooking food, and planning celebrations for her beloved parish.

Beyond her family and faith, Maria was employed for 25 years by Texas State Health Women’s Programs where she started as a visiting community outreach worker and eventually became an administrative assistant. She was well known—and well liked—throughout the Del Rio community and always treated everyone she encountered with kindness. She was a “people person” and enjoyed being around them.

Maria was a special person who touched many lives. She was a wonderful role model and exemplified what it meant to live a life filled with family, faith and love.

Maria will be reunited in the Kingdom of Heaven with her parents Pedro and Dominga Hernandez; husband Jose Huerta Jr.; brothers Pedro Hernandez, Gilberto Hernandez, and twin brother Leonardo Hernandez; daughter Mary Coronado; sons Jose Huerta III, Pedro Huerta, Joe Luis Huerta, Robert Huerta; granddaughter Monica Huerta; and grandson Adolfo Huerta Jr.

Those left to remember Maria are her daughters Terri Reyes (Martin) of San Angelo, Texas; Janie Samarripa (Tom) of Odessa, Texas; Hilda Jewell (Steve) of San Angelo, Texas; Carmen Bautista (Henry) of San Angelo, Texas; sons Adolfo Huerta (Maria) of Zanesville, Ohio; Gilberto Huerta (Kim) of Berlin, Maryland; Leonardo Huerta (Debbie) of San Antonio, Texas; and son-in-law Nabor Coronado of Edinburg, Texas.

Maria also provided a nurturing, loving home for two of her granddaughters, whom she raised from an early age; Erika Huerta (Maico) of Fort Worth, Texas, and Anabel Saldivar (Petie) of Kyle, Texas. Maria will be forever remembered by her numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends whom she cared and loved dearly.

Mom, we will cherish all the good memories with you—from childhood to adulthood. We are forever grateful for the time we had with you and how we were able to be with you when you needed us most. We will miss you every single day, but we are comforted to know you’re with our loved ones celebrating in reunion. We were so blessed to have loved you and been loved by you.

The visitation will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2025, from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM; recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 PM at Sunset Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 2020 N. Bedell Ave, Del Rio, Texas. 

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 27, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 509 W. Garza St, Del Rio, Texas.

The interment will follow at San Felipe Cemetery, Brodbent Ave, Del Rio, Texas.