Mary Grace Oliveira

BROWNSVILLE, TX. – Mary Grace Oliveira entered into eternal rest on Monday, the 25th of August 2025 in the comfort of her longtime Brownsville residence. She was 93 years of age.

Mary was born on July 5, 1932 in Brownsville, Texas to the late Eloy Farias and Angelica Fragoso Farias, the tenth and final child to this ranching family with properties in Brownsville and Matamoros, Mexico.

She graduated from Brownsville High School in 1951 and was selected Queen of Winter of her Senior Class.

Upon graduation, Mary attended Pan American University in Edinburg, Texas and Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas and received a bachelor’s degree in education. She began her teaching career with the Brownsville Independent School District, having taught at East Brownsville (Longoria) Elementary, Resaca Elementary, and Oliveira Middle School. She retired in 1988 after 36 years of dedicated service to the community and to hundreds of students. Throughout her long life, Mary loved running into former students who thanked her for being a good teacher and helping them succeed in life.

Mary will always be remembered for being a strong and independent woman. She had a sharp wit and keen sense of humor. She also lived on her own terms. Just ask anyone who knew her.

At the age of 37, she became a widow after the untimely death of her husband, Joe and was faced with raising three young sons by herself. A devout Catholic, she placed her faith in the Lord and was a loving mother to Ronnie, Carlos, and Bobby. The boys will also tell you she was very strict, but that it did help keep them out of trouble.

Mary also loved her home. To her, there was no place like home. She enjoyed reading, cooking, and tending to her yard and flowers. She was known for her Green Thumb.

Preceding Mary in death are her husband, Joe Oliveira; her parents, Eloy and Angelica Farias; and her nine older siblings: Cutberto Farias, Mary Alice Besteiro, Lucy Farias, Gertrude Martin, Elodia Leal, Gloria Farias, Jose “Pepe” Farias, Delfina Roberts, and Eloy Angel Farias.

Left to treasure her memory are her three loving sons, Ronnie Oliveira (Nelleen), Carlos Oliveira, Robert Oliveira (Misty); her seven grandchildren, Daniel Oliveira, Andrea Oliveira, Ariana Oliveira, Cristian Oliveira, Azlynn Oliveira, Alanah Oliveira, and Ava Oliveira; her four great-grandchildren, Cali Oliveira, Marley Oliveira, Abby Allen, and Anderson Allen; in addition to numerous nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, the 2nd of September 2025 between the hours of five 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 twelve noon on Wednesday, the 3rd of September 2025 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1914 Barnard Road, Brownsville. Interment will then follow at Buena Vista Burial Park, 5 McDavitt Boulevard, Brownsville.

Honored to serve as her pallbearers will be Daniel Oliveira, Cristian Oliveira, Steve Martin, Jaime Oliveira, David Oliveira, and Dr. Noel Oliveira.

Honorary pallbearers are Aly Besteiro, Danny Besteiro, Dee Besteiro, Victor Oliveira, Oscar Oliveira, Raymond Oliveira, Charlie Fragoso, and Michael Armendariz.

Memories of Mary Grace Oliveira 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.