Our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Maria C. Piña of Rankin, Texas left this life on June 30, 2017.
Maria was born on June 1, 1929 to Refugio and Manuela Carrasco in Big Lake, Texas. Maria attended school at McCamey ISD. She was an active member of the Badger Pep Squad and in the school chorale.
It was in McCamey that she met her only love, Jose O. Piña. Jose and Maria married on September 11, 1948 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. It was named as the social event of the year. Maria was devoted to her husband and family. She was a longtime member of the Faith Assembly of God for over 44 years where she was a Sunday School teacher, and later serving as Sunday School Superintendent. She and her husband were married for 68 years. Maria and Jose had three sons and a daughter whom she encouraged to excel in school and extracurricular activities.
Maria loved to work in her yard. She had quite a green thumb. She was awarded yard of the month many times over. She loved to cook for family and friends. Most requests for her jalapeño cornbread and hot tamales. She also loved to quilt and sew for her family.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Manuela Martinez and father, Refugio Carrasco; three sisters, Manuela Barraza, Juanita Martinez, Magdalena Carrasco; two brothers, Refugio Carrasco, Jose Carrasco; daughter Rita Piña; and great grandson, Brett Piña.
Maria is survived by her true and only love, Jose O. Piña; sons Jacob David Piña, Adam Piña and his wife Frances, Mario Daniel Piña and his wife Karen; her daughter, Dianna Piña; her brother, Abel Martinez; adopted sons, Michael Holguin, Nate Carrasco, Adrian Sanchez; adopted daughters, Elodia Hernandez and Darla Cann; 4 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Services will be conducted at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 8, 2017 at the Rankin Park Building by the Reverend James âJimmyâ Carrasco. Arrangements are under the direction of Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home in Crane.
Pallbearers will include nephews Michael Holguin, Nathan Barraza, Nate Carrasco, Richard Piña, Pete Rueda, Manuel Luna III. Honorary Pallbearers are nephews David Martinez, Eliseo Hernandez, grandsons Jacob Piña, Adam Piña, and Jack Piña.
The family wishes to express thanks to the staff of Rankin County Hospital District for their excellent care and compassion towards our angel, Maria Piña.