Mary Lou Tobias-Lerma

Maria Mary Lou De la Luz Tobias Lerma, MSN, RN, CNS, age 57, went to be with her Lord and Savior on July 4, 2004, in San Antonio, TX. She was preceded in death by her father, Manuel L. Tobias, sister, Norma Viola Tobias and brother, Juan John De Dios Tobias. She is survived by her loving son, Paul Eric Tobias Lerma; his father, Pablo R. Lerma; mother, Zulema R.Tobias; brothers, Carlos Tobias and his wife, Diana Tobias of Ft. Worth, TX; Hector Tobias and his wife, Rachel Tobias; Jorge Tobias and wife, Annette Kardow-Tobias; sisters, Elva Diana Tobias, SSgt Blanca Tobias-McCain, USMC Ret and her husband, Gunnery Sgt. William E. McCain, USMC Ret; and sister-in-law, Doris Martin; nephews, Carlos Javier Tobias and Eric Taylor Tobias; nieces, Elisa Harris and husband, Ryan Harris, Brandi Watt and husband, Nicholas Watt, Norma Tobias and April McCain; Godson, Logan John Watt; great-nephew, Jordan Harris. Mary Lou was a graduate of St. MichaelÂ's Academy and St. Gerard High School. She received her B.S. in Nursing from Incarnate Word College, an M.S. in Allied Health Science from Southwest Texas State University, and an M.S. Degree in Nursing from Incarnate Word College. Mary Lou dedicated her life to education and service. She served as staff nurse with labor and delivery at Santa Rosa Medical Center and later became head nurse of post partum. She also served as a school nurse for Edgewood Independent School District, a program director for Vocational Nursing at St. PhilipÂ's College and a nursing instructor at San Antonio College. Mary Lou worked for a short time as a Medical Legal Consultant for a local law firm but her love of teaching drew her back to level 4 nursing at the University of the Incarnate Word. Ms. Tobias Lerma was a Medical-Surgical Nurse with the 117th Combat Support Hospital of the Texas Army National Guard. She also served in the United States Air Force as a flight nurse with the 433rd AES Unit at Kelly AFB and as a clinical nurse in operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Air Force Achievement Medal. Ms. Tobias-Lerma was honorably retired at the rank of Lt. Colonel after serving 29 years of military service. Mary Lou was well respected within the military and civilian community. For leisure, she was an avid San Antonio Spurs fan and volunteered her spare time as an usher at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church. Within all of her accomplishments, she served most of all as a faithful friend, devoted sister, caring daughter, and a loving and awesome mother. The Tobias and Lerma families send their gratitude to the Staff at Southwest Texas Methodist Hospital for their hard work and support. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of her brother, John Tobias, to Cancer Therapy and Research Center, Attn: Donor Relations, P.O. Box 1657, San Antonio, TX 78296.