Maria Guadalupe Prado

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Maria Guadalupe Prado, a deeply loved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Maria left this world peacefully on October 23, 2025, at the age of 46. She was born on February 28, 1979, in Lubbock, Texas, and spent her life surrounded by the community and the people who helped shape the woman she became.
Maria had a way of capturing the beauty in life-both through her camera and through the relationships she nurtured. As a talented photographer, she poured her heart into every moment she documented, especially the milestones of students and families in the schools she worked with. She loved watching young people grow, succeed, and shine, and she took pride in helping preserve memories that will forever be cherished.
Family was everything to Maria. She loved with her whole heart-fiercely, loyally, and without hesitation. She was a mother who showed up, who listened, who supported, and who prayed. She laughed with her family, stood by them through storms, and celebrated even the smallest moments. She was blessed with her children, Thomas Soto Prado, Dominik Prado, and Raelin Prado, and through marriage, she gained three daughter she embraced as her own: Alyssa Rojas, Jazmine Rojas, and Jme Prado. Maria's heart grew even bigger as she became a grandmother to 14 grandchildren, all of whom brought her so much joy. Her grandbabies held a special place in her heart-each one a reminder of her love continuing through generations.
Maria was also a loving daughter to her parents, John and Irene Soto; a sister to John Paul Soto, Jr., Joseph Soto, Elizabeth Rivera, Jessica Soto, Michelle Lynn Soto, and Veronica Gomez; and she treasured the bond she had with each of them. To Maria, family wasn't only blood-it was anyone she loved deeply, prayed for, and stood beside.
She was a woman of resilience and faith. Life handed her challenges, but she faced each one with courage, grace, and a strength that inspired others. She had a gift for making people feel seen, loved, and safe. Her warmth filled every room she entered, and her presence made life a little softer, a little kinder, and a lot more meaningful for those who knew her.
Visitation will be held at Sanders Memorial Chapel on Monday, October 27, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A memorial service celebrating Maria's life will be held on October 28, 2025, at 2:00 PM, also at Sanders Memorial Chapel.
Maria was preceded in death by her husband, James Prado; her sister, Angelica Marie Soto; and her bonus daughter, Ashley, who she loved dearly and held close in her heart.
As we gather to honor Maria, we remember not just the dates of her life, but the love she gave so freely, the memories she created, and the way she made life brighter for all of us. Her legacy lives on in her children, grandchildren, and in every life she touched with her kindness, love, and unshakable spirit.