Maria Mendez

On January 10, 2024 Maria Luisa Cortez Mendez of Olmito, Texas entered into eternal rest in Brownsville, Texas. She was born on November 15, 1934. Maria is survived by her son Rogelio Mendez Jr. and his wife Monica Mendez and her grandson Seth along with her daughter Rosalinda Mendez and her husband Dirk Van Tuerenhout and her granddaughter Sara. Maria has a multitude of nieces and nephews who live in South Texas, Dallas and Wisconsin. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Rogelio Mendez Sr. and her sons Ramiro (1953) and Roel (1997) along with her mother and father Maria and Carlos Cortez and her many brothers and sisters. Maria met the love of her life when she was 15 at a dance at El Mesquiton in Olmito, Texas. They eloped when she turned 17 and their 62 year adventure began. They worked as farm laborers in the Midwest and settled down in Los Fresnos, TX. Eager for new opportunities, they moved Corpus Christi and then finally to Dallas in 1960. Maria raised her sons and then after her daughter was born and off to kindergarten she began working with special needs children primarily with cases of autism, emotional and intellectual disabilities. While working at the school, she captained the faculty volleyball team and played basketball. She also ran a summer youth program. She was well loved by students, parents and teachers and worked part time as a home health aid to the elderly. After retiring, she spent her days dedicated to her husband, children, and grandchildren. She loved to garden, cook and spend time with friends. She and Rogelio would travel, go to dances and help out family members. She had an electric smile that is etched into our hearts and will be greatly missed. Requiem Mass at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church on Saturday January 27th at 11 AM, 4015 S Hampton Rd, Dallas, TX 75224. The rosary will be at 6 PM on Friday evening January 26th at Jeter & Son Funeral Home, 4830 W. Illinois Ave. Dallas, Texas 75211. Visitation at Jeter& Sons Friday evening from 4 -7PM and Saturday from 10-10:30AM.