Maria Rodriguez

Maria (Luisa) Rodriguez, beloved wife, loving sister, mother, and grandmother passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 6, 2021.

She was born on December 16, 1939, in Alpine, TX.  She was the second oldest of ten children.  She worked for the Hobbs Municipal School district in the cafeteria for many years.  Her passion was feeding all her students, which extended in blessing them with nourishing treats to ensure that they did not go hungry that evening.  After retiring from Hobbs Municipal Schools, she was determined to get her high school diploma and successfully graduated.

She married the love of her life on November 8, 1959, in Alpine, Texas.  They shortly moved to Hobbs, NM in 1961.  She was a faithful servant.  She was resilient, loving and her generosity was beyond comparison.  Her life revolved around her children, grandchildren, and church family.  She was such a gentle comfort.  She spent many days serving her church community where she was known as “La Reina of Our Lady Guadalupe.”  She earned this title gracefully, as she spent many hours in the church kitchen preparing delicious tamales, which was her specialty.  She would add her unique spices with an added touch of love.  The kitchen was her happy place.  She would welcome anyone to come and share a home cooked meal, always ready to serve those that walked through her door. She never let anyone leave her home without a blessing.  Along with cooking and serving, she loved singing in the church choir, embroidery, ceramics and dancing at family celebrations and she was a member of the Guadalupana Society.

She was the essence of a virtuous woman, one who lead her home with integrity, discipline, and more. All the virtues were aimed at making the life of her late husband better, teaching her children and serving God.

What a legacy she leaves behind and what a life!

She is survived by 8 children; Josepha DeLeon, Spouse, Oscar; Sylvia Cavazos, Spouse, Rick; Judy Chavez, Spouse, Jorge; Sonny Rodriguez; Roberto Rodriguez, Spouse, Anita; Jesse Rodriguez, Spouse, Velma; Joe Rodriguez, Spouse, Ashley and Norma Britten, Spouse, Jay.  She was blessed with forty-four grandchildren, forty-eight great grandchildren, two great great-grandchild and counting: one brother, Carlos Vasquez, and three sisters, Balvina Fuentez, Corina Lopez, Odelia Medrino.

She was preceded in death by her late husband, Transito Rodriguez, mother, Jesusita V. Escaren᷉o, her son, Sonny Rodriguez, three sisters, Theresa Rios, Elida Espinoza, Delma Vasquez, two brother, Ramon (Scotty) Escaren᷉o, Evodio Salas

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is a store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord will award to me on that day.”  2 Tim 4:7-8