It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Maria D. Vasquez. She was called to our Lord August 1, 2022, at the age of 83, following her long battle with Parkinson’s. Maria, along with her husband, was a founding member of the Primera Iglesia Bautista Jerusalén, Natalia TX.
Maria is the oldest of ten and helped her family raise her siblings. Maria worked at Patio Foods on SW Military Drive for twenty five years, where she met her husband of almost 46 years, Raul D. Vasquez, Sr. Once the manufacturing plant closed its San Antonio doors, Maria and Raul began their next business venture on a full-time basis, Vasquez Grocery, at the corner of Fourth and Aubrey in Natalia, TX. Along the way, a new enterprise was added, with Vasquez Quik Stop, in the middle of town. Vasquez Quik Stop was a mom-and-pop gas station, tire shop, convenience store and living quarters. Maria, known by many as “Mary,” decided to incorporate a small café kitchen at the Quik Stop. Mary was very well known for her brown bag hamburger specials. Many students rushed to the Texaco during lunch in hopes of getting one of Mary’s famous burgers. These businesses provided numerous teenagers within the Natalia community an opportunity to gain their first work experience.
While Mary, did not have biological children, she was a mother to countless children. She helped raise many to include several nieces, great nieces/nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Early in marriage the opportunity to provide a loving home to two grandchildren resulted in their adoption. Melissa and JJ may not have been made in her womb but they absolutely were birthed and sealed in her heart.
Maria is preceded in death by her parents, Leonora and Manuel G. Uriegas Sr.; stepdaughter, Gloria Smith; grandson, Noah Hoover, granddaughter, Crystal Cooper; stepdaughter-in-law, Gloria G. Vasquez, stepson-in-law, Rudy Morales; and siblings, Rafaela Uriegas, Emilia Alvarado, Israel Uriegas and Maria Gracia Uriegas.
Maria is survived by her loving husband, Raul D. Vasquez Sr. of Natalia; children, Melissa A. Vasquez of San Antonio and J.J. Vasquez of Natalia; stepchildren, Santiago M. Vasquez of Natalia, Grace Cooper (Talton Jr.) of Houston, Raul Vasquez Jr. of Natalia, Vangie Morales of Natalia; siblings, Elias Uriegas, Sr. (Socorro) of San Antonio, Oralia Padilla of San Antonio, Rosalia Ramirez (Israel) of Poth, Dalia Maldonaldo (Enrique) of San Antonio, Irma DeLaCruz of San Antonio, Manuel Uriegas Jr. of El Paso, as well as many grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other family and friends. Mary will be missed by countless people whose lives were made better by knowing her.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to American Parkinson Disease Association: Hope in Progress (apdaparkinson.org) or to her home church, Primera Iglesia Bautista Jerusalén in Natalia, TX.
Pallbearers: Ely Jaye Vasquez (Grandson), Moses Kenneth Smith, IV (Grandson), Jose Angel Vasquez (Grandson), Michael Lynn Vasquez (Grandson), Talton Charles Cooper, III (Grandson), Raul Vasquez, Jr. (Stepson), Delbert Hoover, Jr. (Grandson), Christopher Edward Uriegas (Great nephew).
Visitation for Maria will be held Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. to 9:30a.m., with a Prayer Service to begin at 9:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Natalia, 301 Pearson Street, Natalia, Texas 78059. Interment will follow at Devine Evergreen Cemetery.