Obituaries

Maria Franco Diaz, 87, of Big Spring, passed away Friday, January 29, 2010 at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa.  Funeral services will be at 9:30 AM Monday at Myers & Smith Chapel with Eliseo Gamboa officiating.  Burial will follow at Mount Olive Memorial Park.

She was born January 4, 1923 to Guadalupe and Juan Franco, as an only daughter, in Loving, New Mexico.  She grew up in Marfa and had been a resident of Big Spring for over 60 years.  She married Pioquinto "Jacinto" Diaz on November 23, 1945 in Big Spring. She was a strong and independent individual.  In her younger years, she was a registered nurse.  She worked many different jobs to provide for her family.  She taught her family the importance of values and hard work.  In 1970 Mrs. Diaz, along with her husband, started a small janitorial business that thrived and became part of the Big Spring community.  Diaz Janitorial Service was not only their way of making a living but of doing the thing they did best, serving the community and providing exceptional service.  They involved their family in all facets of the business and all of their children worked for them at one time or another.  She worked alongside her husband for several years and even after her retirement from the business in 2003, she stayed on as a bookkeeper to the new owner of the business, her son Salvador.  Mrs. Diaz' mind never faltered, she enjoyed the challenge of her work and worked diligently every day.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Pioquinto, her parents, one grandchild, and one great-grandchild.

She is survived by her loving family, Abel Diaz and his wife Elsie; Viola Cooper and her husband Darrell, Ernesto Diaz and his wife Alisa; Salvador Diaz and his wife Gloria and Estella Valenzuela and her late husband Jesse.  She is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren.

We will miss you our loving mother. The warmth that you gave us will sustain us through the grief. We will always remember the loving way you cooked for all of us, especially the wonderful homemade tortillas that you made in a matter of minutes.  Your laughter, your stories, and the love you gave all of us will be so dearly missed.  You were the strongest person we knew.  You knew how to rise from the ashes to be the most kind and caring person God put on this earth.  Sleep well our dear, dear mother.  We long for the day we can see your beautiful face again and hold you in our arms, your loving children, Bill, Ernie, Sal, Viola, and Stella.

Pallbearers will be Adam Diaz, Ernest Diaz, Jr., Daniel Alvarado, Jesse Valenzuela, Jr., Bill Diaz, Anthony Saracho and honorary pallbearer will be A.J. Martinez.

Arrangements are by Myers & Smith Funeral Home.  Pay your respects online at www.myersandsmith.com