Mary V Rodriguez

Mary V. Rodriguez, 93 of Alvin passed into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 17, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was born on July 23, 1930, to Rumalda and Santiago Velez in Gonzales, Texas. 

Mary grew up in Gonzales, Texas with her six brothers and sisters.  She married Genaro S. Rodriguez on January 11, 1948, and moved to Alvin, Texas, where together they raised four children and were married for 44 years.  Her husband pre-deceased her in 1992.  

Mary was a 30-year employee of the Alvin Independent School District, where she started as a cafeteria worker, and later became a Manager at Alvin Primary cafeteria. She finished her career by opening the cafeteria as Manager at the new Passmore Elementary.  She was loved by all of the teachers as well as the children, many of whom recognized her years later when they would see her out and about in Alvin.  

Mary loved the Lord and was a lifelong member of the Trinity Apostolic Faith Church. She had a tireless church ministry including Adult and Children’s Sunday School teacher, Children’s Choir director, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Lost Pines Youth Camp Girls Dorm Counselor, Church Camp Cook, Women’s Bible Study in her home with her precious friends, Choir Member, Specials Singer, Sunday School Superintendent and Church Board Member. Her love for the Lord shined bright and her smile and laughter was infectious. She loved the children and to teach them about Jesus. Her delicious home cooking was enjoyed by many at Church gatherings.  She touched many lives through her ministry.  

Mary was an avid gardener.  She loved flowers, particularly roses, and she spent many hours meticulously tending to her garden.  It brought her great joy.  She loved to crochet since she was seven years old, and was self-taught.  She made and gifted many beautiful blankets, hats, scarves, purses, baskets and plush toys. On one occasion she noticed some neighborhood children who had walked by in the winter with no gloves, and she crocheted them some mittens.  Her handiwork was one of the many ways she did God’s work on earth. 

Whether you knew her as Mother, Memaw, Mary, Sister Mary, Mother Mary or Tia Maria, one fact remained the same … she had the biggest, most loving heart of anyone we knew. 

Mary is survived by her four children: Annabelle Santiago (Jeff Taylor), Gloria Calderon (Vicente), Jenny Rodriguez-Mather (Al) and Louis Rodriguez (Holly McGinnis Boate).   

She is survived by five grandchildren:  Julie Santiago, Tito Calderon, Lauren Watson, Valerie Doyle, and Daniel Calderon, and eight great-grandchildren. 

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