Maria Teresa Champion

Miss Maria Theresa Champion, 101, our beloved aunt entered into the glory of her eternal life on Sunday, November 25, 2012, at Alta Vista Nursing Home in Brownsville, Texas.

Tia Theresa as she was known by all of her nieces and nephews was born on May 19, 1911 in Mercedes, Texas. She came from pioneer families who came to the Valley before 1850. She was a very devout Catholic with a strong devotion to our Blessed Mother Mary. Theresa graduated from what is now Texas Womens University in Denton, Texas in 1932. After graduating from College, Theresa taught Spanish for ten years at Brownsville Junior High. From 19421945, she worked in San Antonio as a translator for the U. S, Postal Censorship during World War II.

In 1945, she started working for the Texas Department of Welfare now the Texas Department of Human Services. Ms. Champion also obtained a Masters degree in social work from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio in 1965 and continued working for the Texas Department of Public Welfare until 1974, when she retired and moved back to Brownsville. Tia Theresa in her service for the State of Texas with the Texas Department of Human Services also held positions in Laredo and Austin.

Maria Theresa was preceded in death by her parents, J. A. Champion and Maria de la Luz Gonzalez Champion three brothers, Joe A., James Raul, and John G. Champion two sisters, Beatrice Champion Guerra and Bertha Champion Garza and two nephews, Joe E. Guerra and James Champion MIA.

Left behind to eternally treasure their memories of her are her nieces and nephews: Raul J. Guerra Jr., Robert L. Guerra, Reynaldo G. Garza Jr., John J. Champion,
David C. Garza, Joe A. Champion Jr., Paul B. Champion, Sylvia Guerra Meckel, Bianca Guerra, Ygnacio D. Garza, Jean Champion Hudgins, Phillip Champion, Bertha Garza Elizondo, Tessa Champion, Mary Champion Benedict, Monica B. Garza, Judy Champion Hobbs, Dr. Christopher Champion M.D., and Michael Champion and numerous other extended family members.


Viewing will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 27, 2012, with the family receiving friends starting at 6:00 p.m. in the East Chapel at DarlingMouser Funeral Home. The recitation of the holy rosary will be at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening. The Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 28, 2012, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 602 E. Elizabeth St., Brownsville, TX. Committal services will follow at Buena Vista Burial Park.

Theresas nephews: John J. Champion, Paul B. Champion, and Ygnacio D. Garza, and her greatnephews Reynaldo G. Garza III, Robert L. Guerra Jr., and Nicholas P. Garza are honored to be serving as Tia Theresas pallbearers.

Honorary pallbearers will be the rest of Maria Theresas nieces and nephews.

Visitation

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
4 pm to 8 pm

Service

Rosary

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
7 pm

Funeral Mass

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
602 E. Elizabeth
Brownsville, TX  78520
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
10:00 am

Cemetery

Buena Vista Burial Park
5 McDavitt Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78521