August 30, 2018 500 AM
Maria “Chita” Rios Calderon, 91, of Valentine, Texas passed away Sunday, August 26, 2018 in New Braunfels, Texas at Kirkwood Manor surrounded by her family.
The Most Holy Rosary will be prayed Friday, September 7 at 7pm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Valentine. Christian Burial Mass will be held Saturday, September 8 at 10am at the church with burial in Evergreen Cemetery.
Maria was born in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico to Pedro and Severina Rios on January 2, 1927. Later she become a US citizen.
She had two brothers, Juan Rios, wife “Maria,” Jose Rios, wife “Maria”; three sisters, Genoveva Tarango, husband “Manuel”, Emma Marquez, husband “Fred”; and Francisca “Pancha” Perez.
Chita leaves behind two loving children, Jesus “Chuy” Calderon of New Braunfels, Texas and formally of Valentine, and Hermila Peña of Midland, Texas.
Chita’s seven grandchildren: Michael, Adrian and Matthew Peña; Mark, Gabriel and Veronica Calderon and Demetrio Serrano and six great-grandchildren: Evan Barton Calderon, Alyse, Bella and Naomi, Nicholas, Luke and Evelyn Pena, Julian and Fabian Serrano.
Maria was preceded in death by her husband, World War II Veteran Ricardo “Richie” Calderon, and daughter Elva Calderon Serrano.
Maria was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her love for everyone was unconditional. She was well known for her hospitality and her kitchen was always open for whomever showed up at her door. She was a devout Christian and was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Anyone who needed prayers could count on her promise to pray for them.
Pallbearers are her grandchildren, Mark, Gabriel and Veronica Calderon, Michael, Adrian and Matthew Pena and Demetrio Serrano. Honorary Pallbearers: nephews Charles Flippen and Ted Sanchez.
Alpine Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements, and online condolences may be left at: www.alpinememorialfunerlahome.com.
