Maria Magdalena Gonzales

Maria Magdalena Gonzales (Uribe) peacefully passed away surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, September 1, 2016, at the age of 81. Maria was born on March 3, 1935 in Poteet, Texas, to her parents, Gregorio and Manuela Uribe and was one of 6 children. Maria traveled and lived in various locations such as Alaska and Spain; however, she lived the majority of her life in San Antonio, Texas, where she raised her 7 children.
Maria was married for 20 years and is survived by her loving family - children: Yvette Alvarado (Eugene), Noraldo (Diana), Ornaldo (Sylvia), Orlando (Nina), Ronald (Amelia), Yvonne Costilla and Roland (Julie); siblings: Elsa Lewis (Al), Mary Alice Borrego (Paul), Raul Uribe (Lucy) and Juanita Chavez (Juan); eleven beautiful grandchildren and eleven adorable great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents and sister, Irene Rangel.
Maria dedicated her life to Jehovah on July 16, 1971 and remained loyal to her death. She was faithfully associated with the Las Palmas Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses for many years. Her courage and boldness to serve Jehovah, despite fierce opposition, is a spiritual heritage her family will cherish. Even in declining health and being homebound, the many things that brought Maria joy was speaking to others about the wonderful blessings Jehovah God promises. She regularly preached to health providers and those who would visit. Those close to her are warmly comforted knowing that two days before her death, despite her weakened state, she spoke to nurses about Jehovah God's promise to remove all pain, sickness and death from the earth. Even with her failing memory she was able to quote a scripture in Revelation and explain that God is not like man, he does not change and will keep his promise.
She will be tenderly remembered for the many ways she showed her love for her family. Gently being rocked to sleep will be one of the fondest memories her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will hold dear in their hearts. Maria will affectionately be remembered for her 3 great loves in life: Jehovah, her family and Orange Crush soda. She will also be remembered by many who knew her for her delight in gifting little brown bags filled with warm chocolate chip and oatmeal pecan cookies, cooking her delicious chicken and rice, buying little gifts for many and her generous support in every way she possibly could. Her family is grateful and thankful to her youngest daughter, Yvette and husband Eugene, who unselfishly dedicated their time and efforts to care for her for many years. Maria's warm and kind smile that greeted everyone as they opened the door to her home will be forever imprinted on their minds.
There is a saying, "It's hard to forget someone who gave you so much to remember", which is very true for Maria. Her family and friends eagerly await the time when they will see her again, happy and in perfect health when she is resurrected in Jehovah's new world. Our God Jehovah is loyal to those who are loyal to him. She was a loyal servant who held him dear in her heart,