Maria Cortez Rodriguez

OLMITO, TX. - Maria Cortez Rodriguez, lifelong resident of Olmito, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, the 4th of October 2023 at Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville with her devoted husband and daughter by her side. She was ninety-four years of age.

Maria, affectionally known as Titos to many, was born in Olmito, Texas on March 29, 1929, daughter of the late Pedro Cortez, Jr. and Refugia Cruz Cortez. She married Lauro Rodriguez in 1961 and soon after, they welcomed their beloved daughter, Ann Marie. Titos worked alongside her husband in operating their business, Larry's Grocery in Olmito, for over twenty years, where they established many lifelong friendships. She was a devout Catholic and a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy, and her favorite pastime was spending time in her yard gardening.

Preceding Titos in death were her parents, Pedro Cortez, Jr. and Refugia Cruz Cortez; and her siblings, Miguel Cortez and Raquel Flores (Leopoldo+).

Survivors include her loving and devoted husband of sixty-one years, Lauro Rodriguez; her daughter, Ann Marie Pedraza (Christopher); her grandchildren, Lorraine Arwen Pedraza and Jack Devin Pedraza; in addition to numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members, who will profoundly miss her presence.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, the 10th of October 2023 between the hours of three o’clock in the afternoon and nine o'clock at night, with the recitation of the holy rosary to begin at seven o'clock Tuesday evening within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ten o'clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 11th of October 2023 at Our Heavenly Father Catholic Church, 9178 Tomas Cortez Jr Street, Olmito. Interment will then follow, via an escorted procession, at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens, 4464 Old Port Isabel Road, Brownsville.

Honored to serve as her pallbearers will be Christopher Pedraza, Izaiah Cortez, Daniel Cortez, Vince Atkinson, Israel Abrego, Jr., and Erasto Ureste.

Honorary pallbearers are Lorraine Pedraza, Jack Pedraza, Oscar Flores, Omar Flores, and EJ Betancourt.

Memories of Titos may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.