Maria Del

Refugio Juarez Lerma

Maria Del Refugio Juarez Lerma went home to the Lord on Sunday February 23, 2025.

Maria, "Cuca", as she was called by her family and friends, was born on July 4, 1933, to Pablo and Ana Maria "Anita" Juarez in San Benito, Texas.

She is preceded in death by her parents, sister Santa Lucia Castellano, her brothers, Reynaldo "Rey" Juarez, Naun "Wally" Juarez, and Heron Juarez, sister-in-law Margarita Juarez, Nephew, Overlin "Ovie" Juarez and Brothers-in-law, Rene "Froggie" Lerma, Adan Saldana, Robert Tapia, brother and sister-in-law Alberto and Carmen Ramirez.

Maria is survived by her husband, the love of her life, Gilberto Lerma, son, Alfonso "Al" Lerma of Harlingen, Texas and daughter, Ana Isabel Lerma Carpenter (Tom) of Euless, Texas, her Grandson (her Pride and Joy) Nicholas Ivar Berry, of Euless, Texas, her loving sister, Noemi "Mimi" Galvan (Uvence Galvan Sr.), her sisters-in-law, Lencha Juarez, Janie Juarez, Mary Alice "Licha" Tapia, Socorro Saldana and so many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Maria belonged to the San Benito Jaycees before moving to Harlingen where she was a member and officer of the Harlingen Pan American Golf Association (PAGA) Ladies' Auxiliary. She worked for Valley Production Credit Association for 35 years. She loved her job.  She made long time friendships with her co-workers and the farmers and ranchers all over the Rio Grande Valley. After 35 years of employment (which initially was meant to be a temporary job), she decided to retire to help care for her parents.

Maria, our "firecracker baby" as she was born on the 4th of July loved fireworks and loved sharing her birthday with her grandson, Nicholas. She loved to hunt and camp with her husband and the family where they told stories around the campfire. She enjoyed their weekly breakfasts and monthly dinners with the family reminiscing about the "old days".  Boy were there some stories to tell.  She always looked forward to Robert and Carmen's sense of humor.  She also enjoyed spending time at South Padre Island with her family.

Maria belonged to St. Anthony Catholic Church in Harlingen, Texas.

She would want everyone to know as she always said, "I'm Ok".  She loved unconditionally and her message to everyone would be "To be kind to one another."

Visitation will begin on Sunday March 2, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. with a Prayer of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Funeral Home.

A funeral mass is scheduled to be held on Monday March 3, 2025, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. in Harlingen, Texas.

Interment will follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park in San Benito, Texas.

Honored to serve as pallbearers will be Alfonso Lerma, Nicholas Berry, Jaime Juarez, Rolando Juarez, Uvence Galvan, Jr., and Cristian Flores.

With profound love and remembrance, the family Maria Del Refugio Juarez Lerma have entrusted her funeral arrangements to Trinity at Harrison Funeral Home, 1002 E. Harrison Avenue Harlingen, TX 78550. You may contact us at (956)364-2444 or visit us at www.trinityfunerals.com