Maria Ballas

Maria Louisa Marulanda Ballas, dancer, singer, starlet and humanitarian passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on the 12th of December 2013.
Maria was a 5th generation Texan. Born and raised in Laredo, Texas her ancestors were among the founding families in the year 1755. Her parents Alejandro and Leonor Marulanda, and her sister Leonor de Jesus Marulanda preceded her in death.
At the age of 5, Maria donned her first pair of castanets. She studied flamenco from the world-renowned Carmen Amaya and became a premier flamenco artist excelling in dance, song and the art of castanet playing. At the age of 13, she began teaching dance in Laredo, Falfurrias, and Piedras Negras.
Maria and her troupe danced for dignitaries, celebrities and charities. They performed for church benefits and for those in need. She was cast in the film "Rio Grande" (46' Republic), starring Sunset Carson. In 1996 the Mayor of Laredo presented her with a Proclamation "In thanks for bringing the arts to Texas."
At the age of 27, she married the love of her life, the late George Charles Ballas. George was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force (WWII/Korean War), they fell in love dancing. George was an entrepreneur best known for building Dance City U.S.A., in Houston, followed by his invention of the Weed Eater.
Maria always put God first and would emphatically state, "I am a wife, a mother, and a grandmother, in that order!" Though a humanitarian through and through, chairing many civic and social events, her priority was her family. She raised her children in Catholic schools and passed her strong Christian faith to her grandchildren who lovingly called her Bebe.
Maria's radiant smile and "bigger than life" personality would fill a room with warmth, love, joy, passion and entertainment! She loved giving parties for family and friends and being available to those in need.
A special thanks to Gloria Paiz; Carlos and Celia Say; the Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care staff and the Vitas group. "Thank you for keeping Maria safe, happy and loved during her final days."
Maria is survived by her children, Michelle (Thomas) Pritchard, George "Buck" (Sharon) Ballas, Jr., Maria "Winkie" (Kenneth) Jamail, Mark "Corky" Ballas, Lillian "Nini" (Marty) Miles; grandchildren Leonore Pritchard, Catherine Ballas, Lochlin (Brooke) Bramlett, Alexander (Sophia) Bramlett, Louisa Bramlett, Mark Ballas, Jr. and Salvador Maida IV; great-grandchild Lochlin Bramlett, Jr.; Cousins Esther J. (Louis+) Campbell, Louis J. (Yvonne) Campbell, Jr., John Ross Campbell, Richard Campbell and the Peña/Resendez families. Van Bramlett, Shirley Ballas, and Sal Maida III also survive her.
A memorial service is to be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 21st of December 2013 in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where Fr. Brendan Cahill, will be officiating. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent grand foyer.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to the Sisters of the Incarnate Word Academy, 3400 Bradford Place, Houston, TX, 77025 or Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care, 6200 N. Braeswood Blvd., Houston, TX, 77074.