Maria Nelia Salazar

Maria Nelia Salazar, 81, of La Pryor passed away on September 27, 2026, at her residence.

She was born on December 5, 1944, in La Pryor, Texas to Sara (Flores) and Jose B. Rodriguez.

Maria dedicated more than 28 years of her life to working at Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Company where she worked until her retirement. She found joy in music, sewing, dancing, attending athletic events, and, most of all, spending time with her family. A woman of strong faith, she had a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother and was a devoted member of the Guadalupanas.

She is survived by three daughters, Mona Soto and husband, Victor of San Antonio, Annette Bermea and husband, Isaac of La Pryor, and Zannette Hernandez and husband, Steve of Corpus Christi; four sons, Albert Salazar and wife, Polly, Michael Salazar and wife, Gena all of La Pryor, Ricardo Guadalupe Salazar and wife, Wendy of Freer, and AJ Salazar of La Pryor; four sisters, Rosa Elia Rodriguez of Chicago, Veroncia Flores of Merkel, Zinna Aguilera and Cynthia Martinez both of Uvalde; brother, Armando Rodriguez of Uvalde; grandchildren, John Anthony Palacios, Kimberly Gutierrez, Kaddie Salazar, Claudia Salazar, Abraham Salazar, Michael Cy Salazar, Emilio Paul Salazar, Alexandrea Salazar, Karissa Salazar, Emma Salazar, Samantha Salazar, Ryan Salazar, Mia Bermea, Jamie Bermea, Benny Hernandez, and Davee Hernandez; 24 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Guadalupe Salazar, five brothers, Joe Rodriguez, Mario Alberto Rodriguez, Artemio Rodriguez, Arnoldo Rodriguez, and Alejandro Rodriguez; and two sisters, Alicia Gonzales and Sylvia Magdaleno.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. and a rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in La Pryor. Interment will follow at La Pryor Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Albert Salazar, Michael Salazar, Ricardo Guadalupe Salazar, AJ Salazar, John Anthony Palacios and Arnold Salazar.

Honorary pallbearer will be Lucy Leal.