Maria Oralia Perales' Obituary
MARIA WAS BORN IN MONTERREY, MEXICO THE YOUNGEST OF 10 CHILDREN.
SHE IS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HER HUSBAND PONCHO WHO SHE SPENT 23 YEARS OF MARRIAGE WITH UNTIL HIS PASSING IN 1994.
SHE IS SURVIVED BY HER DAUGHTER, NORMA HARBER SON IN LAW BRIAN HARBER,
THEIR ELDEST DAUGHTER ASHLEY ANDERS AND HER HUSBAND JODY AND THEIR CHILDREN, JAILYN, JENSEN AND JEMMA.
AS WELL AS THEIR YOUNGEST ALLY HARBER AND HER DAUGHTER OLIVIA KARLEN
ALLYSON HARBER
MARIA WAS KNOWN TO MOST AS NORMA, SHE NICKNAMED HERSELF “NORMA” TO HONOR THE GIRLFRIEND AND FIRST LOVE OF HER OLDEST BROTHER, HE NEVER MARRIED THIS WOMAN BUT ALWAYS CLAIMED HER TO BE HIS “ TRUE LOVE” MARIA LOVED HER FAMILY AND TO HONOR HER BROTHER LONG AGO SHE BEGAN USING THE NAME FOR HERSELF.
MARIA HAD AN AMAZING WORK ETHIC AND MORAL CODE SHE BEGAN WORKING AT THE YOUNG AGE OF 14 AND SAVED ENOUGH MONEY TO BUY AN ENTIRE HOME FOR HER MOTHER IN MEXICO.
OVER THE YEARS MARIA WORKED HARD AND HELPED OUT HER SIBLINGS IN DIFFERENT WAYS SHE WAS ALWAYS VERY PROUD OF THE HELP SHE GAVE THEM, SINCE SHE WAS THE “BABY” NOT IN A ARROGANT WAY BUT SHE WAS RIGHTFUL PROUD OF HERSELF AND HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
MARIA LOVED HER GRANDDAUGHTERS, ASHLEY AND ALLY AND SPOILED THEM WHERE SHE COULD AND THE BEST WAY SHE KNEW HOW TO, SHE ADORED HER GREAT GRANDCHILDREN AND AT AGE 80 WOULD CHASE THEM AROUND THE YARD AND PLAY WITH THEM, SHE SHARED THAT THEY MADE HER HEART FEEL FULL.
SHE VERY MUCH ENJOYED IT WHEN HER GREAT GRANDCHILDREN WOULD COME OVER TO HELP HER IN THE GARDEN, OR FEEDING CHICKENS OR REPOTTING PLANTS, SHE HAD AN AMAZING GREEN THUMB AND A TALENT FOR REGROWING ROSES, SHE LOVED TO COOK AND MADE THE MOST AMAZING HOMEMADE TAMALES, TORTILLAS AND ENCHILADAS.
MARIA KNEW HER DESTINATION WAS WITH CHRIST SHE OFTEN SPOKE ABOUT GOD’S TIMING, GOD’S PLAN, AND SHE OFTEN SAID “ IF THE LORD IS WILLING” BEFORE MAKING PLANS.
"Bless those who mourn, eternal God, with the comfort of your love that they may face each new day with hope and the certainty that nothing can destroy the good that has been given".
Matthew 5:4 (KJV): "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."
Celebration of Life for Ms. Perales will be held on March 9, 2026, at 10:30 am at Restland Funeral Home Wildwood Chapel following a graveside in the Court of Freedom.
What’s your fondest memory of Maria?
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Share a story where Maria's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Maria you’ll never forget.
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