Maria Parra Gonzalez was born December 29, 1940 in Brownsville, Texas to Guadalupe and Celia Parra. She grew up in Brownsville with her siblings, Guadalupe, Sylvia, Ester, Norma, Arturo, Edwardo, Irma, Vivian, Gladys and Katie. She met Manuel while working in retail and after a time decided they were made for each other. They moved to Houston for a great job opportunity and also started their family.
In 1974 they moved to La Porte and together they raised four children. Maria was a devoted wife and mother, but she also continued working in the retail business. Moving on to a new career, for the last 33 years she was a bus monitor with La Porte School District, caring for special needs students. She was very
active in the church, both in Baytown; Our Lady of Guadalupe and in La Porte at St. Mary’s. Maria loved her flower garden and was quite accomplished in persuading beautiful things to grow.
Maria returned to our Lord on Sunday, August 26, 2018. Maria is preceded by two grandchildren; Jacob Gonzalez and Sophia Barrera and her brother, Guadalupe Parra. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her husband, Manuel; her children, Rosie Parra Halbert and husband Kelly, Manuel P. Gonzalez, Jr., Victor Gonzalez, Sonya Gonzalez and Raymond Gonzalez. She also leaves behind her sisters; Sylvia P. Olguin, Ester P Jones, Norma P. Horsley, Irma P. Bixler, Vivian P. Lunan, Gladys P. Kaffenberger and Katie Parra, also brothers; Arturo Parra and Edwardo Parra. Her grandchildren will carry on her legacy; Reya, Victoria, Marcus, Kevin, Allison, Devon, Roland, Roman, Brody and great-grandchildren; Layla and Mayumi.
She will be missed by one and all.