Maria Carlota Pearson

Maria Carlota Veiga Pearson went to be with the Lord on January 25, 2023 after a long illness, surrounded by her family.

Maria was born on February 10, 1946 in Havana, Cuba. She moved to the United States with her family in 1956, settling in a Newark, New Jersey neighborhood. She learned English and Italian at the same time, thanks to the community her family settled in.

In 1963, she moved to the small town of Barry, IL, where her favorite uncle was the family doctor. It was at a movie theater in Barry that she met the love of her life, Steve Pearson. She attended Illinois State University, where she obtained a degree in Spanish and Secondary Education, with a minor in French. After 5 years of dating, Maria and Steve married in 1968, relocating to New Orleans, where Steve served as a Captain in the US Army Veterinary Corps. In the subsequent years, Maria had three children – Kevin, Shannon and Alicia – staying home to raise the children while Steve worked.

After moves within Louisiana and to South Florida, the family settled in Alice in 1983. Maria became involved in a variety of organizations and served as a volunteer at Alice P&S Hospital. In 1987, she went to work as a Model Teacher Substitute, specializing in reading education at Mary R. Garcia Elementary School. She eventually obtained her Texas teaching certification and ultimately retired as a Spanish teacher at Alice High School. Maria was a passionate reader, a true patriot, and always opened her home to anyone wanting a home cooked meal.

Maria is survived by her loving husband of nearly 55 years, Steve, and her children Kevin (Robin) Pearson of Groves, TX; Shannon (Brian) Smith of Phoenix, AZ; and Alicia (Anthony) Carlisle of Alice, TX. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Scarlett & Indigo Pearson, Jackson Smith and Olivia Carlisle; her sister, Alice Manfredini of Buffalo Grove, IL, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Friday, February 3, 2023 at Holmgreen Mortuary. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alice, Texas. Burial will be held at a later date at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery in Corpus Christi, Texas.  

Honored to serve as pallbearers will be Indigo Pearson, Jackson Smith, Richard Hausman, Mundo Garza, Jesse Saenz and Philip Flanders.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at Premier of Alice and Nurses on Wheels Hospice for their care, kindness, and empathy. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Holmgreen Mortuary, 2061 East Main Street, Alice, Texas.

Condolences for the family may be offered at www.holmgreenmortuaryinc.com and shared via Holmgreen Mortuary Facebook.holmgreenmortuary.com

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