Maria Arvizu

Maria Guadalupe Duarte Arvizu, born on June 12, 1943, of Robinson, Texas, passed on to be with The Lord on Saturday, January 23, 2021.

Visitation at Pecan Grove Funeral Home for immediate family only. There will be no interment.

Mrs. Arvizu is survived by her five children, Maria L. Mireles (Jose) of Waco, Peter Arvizu, Jr. (Ruth) of Hewitt, Izaura “Chowie” Ramos and Armando Arvizu, both of Waco, and Herminia “Bebe” Arispe (Johnny) of Robinson. Mrs. Arvizu was richly blessed with 12 grandchildren: Erica Lujan, Celie Lujan, Jose Mireles, Jr., Nikki Mireles, Paul Mireles, Peter Arvizu III, Joseph Arvizu, Ray Ramos, Jr., Brandi Ramos, Demi Ramos, Johnny Arispe II, and Christian Arispe, honorary grandchild, Ben Alvarez, all from the surrounding Waco area, and Mr. Ramos being from Austin. Mrs. Arvizu was also abundantly blessed with 20 great grandchildren and one on the way.

Mrs. Arvizu is also survived by her only sister, Velia Torres (Frank) of Dallas and four nephews: Frankie Torres, Joey Torres, Adam Torres, and Andrew Torres, of Aubrey, Dallas, Fort Worth and Glenn Heights, Texas, respectively.

Mrs. Arvizu was born in Fort Worth, Texas, but was raised in Rosebud, Texas, where the family had a restaurant and where she was the apple of her grandparents’ eyes, Norberto and Maria Duarte. After the death of her grandmother in 1950, Mrs. Arvizu and her family moved to Waco, where she attended school and later met and married the love of her life, Pete Arvizu. After moving to Lamesa, Texas, for a few years and the birth of their two older children, the Arvizu’s returned to Waco to raise their family and had three more children. After living so many years in Waco, she was so excited to have recently moved to Robinson to live with her daughter and son-in-law.

Mrs. Arvizu is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Pete Arvizu, Sr. (2015), and by her mother, Mary V. Duarte (2019).

Mrs. Arvizu will always be remembered as a loving and devoted wife and mother. She was the pillar and the glue that held her family together. She loved her family so much and was always cooking or baking something that her “kiddos” loved. She had a generous and servant heart, and was the best hugger ever.

Whether it was as wife, mother, “Mamos” (as her grandchildren lovingly called her), Tia Lupe or “Sisa,” Mrs. Arvizu was the thread of love that kept her family together. She selflessly gave so much of herself, and like her mother before her, was a true reflection of what faith, prayer, compassion, and forgiveness really look like.

While she will be dearly missed, her family rejoices for we know she is finally home and in the presence of God.


She is more precious than jewels and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Proverbs 3:15

Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her.
Proverbs 31:28