Maria T. Sepulveda

WESLACO - Weslaco-Maria T. Sepulveda, 84, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, May 20, 2015. She is preceded in death by her parents, Manuel and Carmen Tellez, her sister Lilia Tellez, her loving husband of 37 years, Juan G. Sepulveda and her daughter in law, Melinda G. Sepulveda. Left to cherish her memory are her loving children, Reyes (Pauline) Sepulveda of Corpus Christi, Jose T. (Carmen) of Weslaco, Alicia (Roberto) Moya of Weslaco, Eleazar (Belen) Sepulveda of Burleson, TX, Carlos (Omega) Sepulveda of San Perlita, TX, Juan Jr (Melinda+) Sepulveda of Garland, TX, Carmen (Leroy) Garza of Weslaco. She had 19 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.
She is also survived by her sisters Gracia Flores of Galena Park, TX, Manuela Sepulveda, Ninfa Guerra, Susana Tellez, and Marta Suarez of Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon, and her brother, Jose Manuel Tellez of Montemorelos, Nuevo Leon.
Maria met the love of her life at his mercantile business in 1948 and moved to Weslaco in 1955 with her 3 oldest children.
When the kids think of their mom, the words, “talented”, “committed”, “humble”, “generous”, “independent”, “faithful”, “kind” and most of all, “loving” are a few words that come to mind.
Maria was “talented”. She loved roses and gardening and working in the yard. She was a “green thumb” as her family fondly remembers. This was by far her favorite hobby.
She had a great talent for embroidery. She enjoyed embroidering and many of her beautiful works can be found in her children’s homes.
Maria was also a great cook. She made special dishes for her children’s birthdays. She made the best rice and was always sending food home with the kids. One thing that will be missed is her Tuesday night family dinners. She would cook for the whole family and no one was allowed to bring anything but their appetites.
Maria was “giving”. She always wanted everyone to be taken care of. Her family remembers fondly her frequent visits to Mexico to see her family. She would take them food and gifts. Even though Maria, being a widow for nearly 30 years, was on a fixed income, she made sure everyone (kids, grandkids, great grandkids, and anyone else who was around) would have a Christmas gift, it may be small, but everyone was getting a gift from Maria. Christmas was not the only time, every grandchild had to have an Easter basket. Of course, birthdays were always recognized.
Maria was “driven”, after moving to the valley in 1955 she and her family became migrants. The whole family migrated to Minnesota and Michigan. Mom would get up at 3am to make breakfast AND lunch for the family and then she was off to work with the family where the rows in the sugar beet fields were often a mile long.
Maria was “independent”. She became a widow at a relatively young age, so she learned to take care of her needs as well as those of her family. There was no need for a car, Maria could get around just fine by foot. Her daughters recall times she would come to their homes early in the morning without them even being aware. There were times she would clean their entire homes while they were at work without telling them just to surprise them. She had enough energy to go around.
Maria was “faithful”. She was a woman of great faith and a devout Catholic. She had a lot of faith in “Our Lady of Guadalupe” and on many occasions was called upon to pray for family and friends. She was a prayer warrior many would like to have on their side.
Finally, Maria will most be missed and remembered for her love. She was a loving woman. She would call the kids almost every evening and they all remember how she would always end the call with “love you” you too and sometimes even a “kissie-kissie”. She checked in on the kids and grandkids almost daily. She treated her sons and daughters in law like her own kids, with love, compassion and generosity. Maria T. Sepulveda gave love as freely and generously as she gave everything else. She was loved by many and will surely be missed.
We would like to thank Dr. Gabriel Gonzalez and staff for 27 years of caring for our mom. Additionally, we can never thank enough Valley Grande Manor for their compassionate care of our mother. A special thanks to the nurses and staff of B wing. You are truly angels on earth.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 22, from 2-9pm with a rosary at 7pm at McCaleb Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joan of Arc on Saturday, May 23, at 10am with interment to follow at Highland Memorial Park. Services are under the direction of McCaleb Funeral Home.