Maria R. Vela

McAllen/Mercedes - Our beloved mother, Maria (Rosie) Fernandez Vela, went to be with our Lord on August 6, 2017, at the age of 61. Mary was born and raised in Mercedes, TX. She grew up in a family of migrant farm workers and worked the fields of Montana, Michigan, and other states for over 5 years. Soon after, she returned to school and received her GED. She went to work at GTE/Verizon in Weslaco, TX where she retired after 30 years of service. She returned to the workforce and helped her son, Rey at RABA Investments Inc, in McAllen, TX and most recently worked at TTBH in Edinburg, TX.

Mary is preceded in death by her mother, Benita Ramirez, her father, Manuel Fernandez, and her dear aunt who helped raise her, Ricarda Ramirez. She is survived by her older brother, Arturo (Janie) Nuno, an older sister, Esther(Pedro) Gomez, and a younger sister, Gloria Fernandez Betancourt; her daughter Christina (Joey) Trevino, and two sons, Reymundo (Biel) Ayala, and Staff Sergeant Juan Amado Vela, USAF: 9 grandchildren, Samantha, Andrea, Sarah, Christian, Jonathan, Karen, Christopher, Kathryn, and Alexander; 3 great-grandchildren, Laylee, Karianna, and Ruben; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Her children would like to thank MD Anderson, Houston, TX, CIMA Hospice, McAllen, TX Comfort House Services, McAllen, TX, family , friends and co-workers for their love, support and prayers.

In lieu of flowers, Mary's family requests that monetary donations be made to MD Anderson "Give in Memory of Mary Vela" @gifts.mdanderson.org, or The American Cancer Society @donate.cancer.org, P.O. Box 22478 Oklahoma City, OK 73123, 1-800-227-2345.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 10, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a rosary prayed at 7:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service at the funeral home chapel. Service arrangements have been entrusted to Garcia & Trevino Funeral Home of Mercedes, TX.