Maria R. Gonzales

BROWNSVILLE, TX. - Maria R. Gonzales entered into eternal rest on Sunday, the 3rd of May 2026 at Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville, Texas. She was 80 years of age.

Maria was born in Brownsville, Texas on September 14, 1945, daughter of the late Santiago Amaro Ruiz, Sr. and Maria Davila Ruiz. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, and grandmother. A devout Catholic, Maria was a prayerful woman and hard worker. She would give the shirt off her back for anybody in need. Prior to her retirement, she worked for the Brownsville Independent School District.

Preceding Maria in death are her husband, Alberto Zapata Gonzales; her parents, Santiago Amaro Ruiz, Sr. and Maria Davila Ruiz; and her brothers, Santiago Ruiz, Jr. (Nina) and Pedro D. Ruiz, Sr. (Josie).

Survivors include her son, Albert Ray Ruiz (Barbara); her grandchildren, Natasha Marie Ruiz and Natali Mia Ruiz; and her siblings, Robert Ruiz (Yasmin) and Lupita Montelongo (Carlos).

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, the 7th of May 2026 between the hours of ten o'clock in the morning and one o'clock in the afternoon, with the recitation of the holy rosary to be recited at one o'clock Thursday afternoon within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at two o'clock in the afternoon at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1914 Barnard Road, Brownsville. Entombment will then follow within the Buena Vista Burial Park Mausoleum, 5 McDavitt Boulevard, Brownsville.

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

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