Maria Cruz Perez, 87, of Slaton, passed away on March 19, 2026.

Viewing will begin at 11:00 am-5:00 pm on Monday, March 23, 2026 at Englunds Chapel, followed by a Rosary Service at 6:00 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Slaton. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Slaton. Interment will follow at Englewood Cemetery in Slaton. Arrangements are by Englunds Funeral Service of Slaton.

Maria was born on May 3, 1938 in Waelder, Texas to Victor and Domitila Hinojosa Rodriguez. She met Geronimo Perez in Lubbock in 1987, and they were married in 2003 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Slaton.  She worked and retired from Texas Tech University.  Maria was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe and a devoted Guadalupana.

Maria was a devoted wife, loving mother and tremendously loving grandmother and Tia. Maria helped raise many of her grandchildren and made a huge impact on their lives. She was known as her “Nana”.  Many of them can remember the morning coffee and cookies with their Nana.  I think it’s safe to say that Maria has left many impressions on her loved ones and friends, some would say she shaped their lives and contributed to who they are as adults.

Maria enjoyed attending church and all events related to church. Maria loved shopping and was well known at JC Penney’s; her daughter, Emma, can attest to that firsthand. Maria’s laugh, smile, faith and trust in God will truly be missed by her loved ones.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sons, Raymond Gonzalez and Mark Gonzalez; her sisters, Isidra Rodriguez and Aurora Sauseda; and her brothers, Jose and Celestino Rodriguez.

Maria is survived by her husband, Geronimo Perez; her daughters, Diane Ybarra and her husband, Alex, Sr. of Slaton, Lucy Vasquez and her husband, Eddie of San Jose, CA., Mary Calderon and her husband, Billy of Stockton, CA., and Emma Vasquez of Slaton; her son, Johnny Gonzalez of Merced, CA.; her step-children, Jerry Perez and his wife, Mary of Hutto, Rosa Cox of Lubbock, Sylvia Hinojosa and her husband, Carlos of Lubbock, Victor Perez of Alamo, Geronimo Perez, Jr. of CA., and Teresa Perez of Lubbock; her sister, Pauline Perales of Slaton; her brother, Frank “Panche” Rodriguez of Slaton; her grandchildren, Rudy, Anthony, Mark, Samantha, Javier, Elice, Ariyanna, Darion, Demetrius, Valerie, Crystal, Alex, Jr., Tony, Alexis, Alyssa, Eddie Jr., Gabriel, and Raylynn; and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.