MARIA Z. RAMIREZ

1928 - 2015

MARIA Z. RAMIREZ Maria Z. Ramirez of Penitas, Texas passed away peacefully at her home during the evening of May 21, 2015 while holding hands with her husband Jose Ramirez, Jr. and entered into the house of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Born on April 20,1928 to Guadalupe and Benilde Zamora, Maria was raised most of her life in Penitas, and had recently celebrated her 87th birthday surrounded by her family. She was a lady of unwavering faith with a heart-full of love and an ability to make others feel better about themselves. Throughout her life, Maria exemplified the best traits of humanity and was an ultimate example of humility, dignity, and moral character. She always practiced forgiveness and commitment to her husband and her children, and to family and friends, and encouraged all to love unconditionally. On May 22, 1949 Maria Zamora married hometown grown Jose Ramirez, Jr. and together began to build a life centered on Christian faith and always displaying an uncompromising commitment to God the father, to their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to the Holy Spirit, and to one another. They were blessed with seven sons and three beautiful daughters. She never once was too tired to be a loving wife and mother and never once failed to be a pillar of strength and support. She was also devoted to her father in-law and mother in-law, the late Jose Ramirez Ochoa and Cleotilde Ramirez. Together they stressed the importance of family, peace and unity, and where the importance of protecting, providing, teaching, and guiding children was paramount and the primary and basic responsibilities of a parent. Together they expressed the importance of education and through hard work, sacrifice, and admittedly by the hand of God, they were able and willing to provide the highest level of education for all of their children. Maria is survived by her husband of sixty-six (66) years Jose Ramirez, Jr., and all except one of her children. Efrain, the eldest of the boys, passed away on July 10, 1969 at the age of eighteen (18). Undoubtedly, the most painful time of her life, she accepted the Lord's will and treasured his memory every day of her life and thanked the Lord throughout the day for her many blessings. The family is comforted by the thought that mother and son are again together. The family she leaves behind to cherish her memory are eldest daughter Irma Nelda Ramirez and grandchildren Jennifer (great-grandchildren Quintyn and Carmyn), Monica, JoAnn (great grandchildren Isabella and Lisa Ann), and Wallace Martin; Jose Ramirez, III and wife Petra and grandchildren, Jose IV, Efrain, Antonio and Vanessa; Fernando Ramirez and wife Gail: Servando Ramirez and wife Dianette and grandchildren Maria Susana (great granddaughter Dallas), Servando, Jr. and Taylor; Gerardo Ramirez and grandchildren Anastasia and Ivan; Jaime Ramirez and wife Martha and grandchildren Victoria and Alejandro; Lisa Ann Garcia and husband Hiram and grandchildren Hiram, Jr. and Brianna; Anysia Roxana Trevino and husband Jaime and grandchildren Jamie, Anysha, and Christian; Cesar Ramirez and wife Ilerette and grandchildren Laura, Cesar, Gabriela, and Fernando. Maria's love and respect for her siblings was an example to all and never in question. She was always quick to stand by any of them and proud of their accomplishments. Maria enjoyed being called a Zamorita. Preceding Maria in death were beloved brothers Eugenio, Noe, Ruben, Julian, and Hector, and sisters and best friends Guadalupe Moreno and Belia Garza. Other Zamora siblings left to cherish her memory are Benilde (Ramirez), Juan, Soid, Hilda (Tomlinson), Guadalupe, Jr., Abelardo, Joel, and Noel. Maria Z. Ramirez slipped away from the grasp of Jose Ramirez Jr. and into the loving arms of Our Lord and Savior. Family will receive friends today, May 24, 2015 and Monday, May 25, 2015 from 3 pm to 9 pm with a rosary recited at 7 pm both evenings at The Lord & I Memorial Chapel in Peñitas. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at 9:30 am at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Peñitas. Interment will follow to Rio Grande Valley State Veteran's Cemetery in Mission. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations made to MD Anderson in Mrs. Ramirez's honor. You are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.lordandifuneralhomes.com Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of The Lord & I Funeral Home of Peñitas. Sign the guest book at www.themonitor.com/obituaries