Maria Angelita Luna Valdez, a vibrant, stylish and strong woman, passed away peacefully at the age of 94, just days before her 95th birthday. Born in 1929, to Pedro Jose Luna from San Luis, Potosi Mexico and Emilia Rodriguez Luna from Monterrey, Mexico. Maria spent her early years in Laredo, Texas, where she attended Urban Elementary from 1935 to 1941 and Christen Junior High in 1942. She later moved to Houston, where she attended Burbank Junior High from 1942 to 1944, before returning to Laredo in 1945 -47 as an alumni of Martin High School active in the Laredo Journal and Typewriting & Stenographer Club.

On November 30, 1947, Maria married the love of her life, Roberto Laurel Valdez. They were blessed with a large, close-knit family filled with parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles. Though Angelita and Roberto separated in 1968, they remained married and continued to co-parent their five children for 68 years, always prioritizing the well-being of their family up until the passing of Roberto Sr. in 2015.

Maria was an active and devoted member of her parish, San Luis Rey Church, so much that the Vatican wrote to them about her likes & dislikes when she expressed certain mass “new process” when receiving communion.

She was a devout Catholic, her faith and dedication to her community were evident to all who knew her. A passionate Democrat, Maria was a political steerer in her community, known for her firm belief in getting things done with no excuses.

Maria’s career began after she earned her Stenographer’s Certification from Brown’s Business College in the mid-1950s. She went on to work for the Honorable Oscar Laurel at the Webb County Courthouse, and later served as an Executive Secretary at the Texas Workforce Commission. Always eager to learn and grow, at the age of 52 Maria pursued a Cosmetology Degree at Laredo Beauty College in 1981. Though she never worked professionally as a cosmetologist, she generously shared her talents with friends, cousins, and family.

In the later years of her career, Maria worked at the Laredo Junior College Bookstore from 1982 until 1985, where she continued to impact those around her with her vibrant personality and sharp wit. Known for her blunt but caring sayings, Maria was a woman who never minced words, always speaking her mind with honesty and humor. Though she never used profanity, her no-filter approach to life left a lasting impression on everyone she met.

Maria Angelita Luna Valdez leaves behind a legacy of love for education, enjoyed her Doobie Bros, Neil Diamond & Juan Gabriel music, she had a unique laughter, and unwavering dedication to her family, faith, and community. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Angelita was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Roberto Laurel Valdez, her eldest daughter, Diana Valdez Barnes, her siblings Ramiro Luna Sr., Magdalena Luna Gaitan, Aurora Luna Gaitan, Pedro Jose Luna Jr and her sons in law Stephen Barnes and Clyde Bailey.

She is survived by her eldest son, Roberto Valdez Jr.(Bernadine), Fabiola Bailey, Roxanna Rios (Artemio) & Cesar Valdez. Her surviving grandchildren: George (Jennifer) DeVilliers, Desiree (Leon) Suh, Natalie (Rudy) Tanner, Gavin Valdez, Kevin & Steven Robert Bailey, Eryk & Diamond Rios, Sergio Rios (Robbin) and Marisa (Shayden)Muse.  Her great grandchildren: Sloane DeVilliers, Ethan & Rachel Suh, Elisa & Gabriel González and Athena Tanner.

The family will be receiving guests on Thursday, August 29, 2024 in the Angelus Chapel at Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.  A rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm.  Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 30, 2024 from the funeral home to San Luis Rey Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will begin at 9:00 am. Procession will be led by Deputies from Sheriff’s Webb County Office of Martin Cuellar Jr. Funeral services will conclude after mass and cremation will be held at a later date.

Pallbearers will be Cesar Valdez,  George De Villiers,  Kevin Bailey, Eryk Rios, Diamond Rios, Marisa Muse and Art Rios.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Roberto Valdez Jr., Alfredo Benavides Sr., Arturo A. Romero, Leopoldo Valdez Sr., Vidal Valdez Sr., Thomas J. Slaney and Webb County Sheriff’s Commander Dennis Garcia.

The family is encouraging those in attendance to wear red in honor of Mrs. Valdez.

Funeral arrangements are by Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services, 1320 Trey Dr., Laredo, Texas 78041 (956) 723-3611. For your convenience, you may leave your condolences to the family online at www.freddickey.com

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