Mary L. Almanza, 82, of Waco, passed away peacefully in her home on Friday, December 30, 2016. A. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at St. Francis on the Brazos Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m., and Rosary service will be at 7 p.m., Tuesday, January 3, 2016 at OakCrest Funeral Home.

Mary was born April 17, 1934 in Moody, Texas to Candido and Angelita (Garcia) Rivera. She was a loving daughter, wife, mother and a wonderful grandmother. Mary was a devout member of St. Francis Catholic Church and she and husband Manuel were one of the original founders of Sacred Heart Catholic Church as well as original founders of the Waco Missions Recreation Club in Waco.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband and the love of her life, Manuel T. Almanza; their son, John Louis Almanza; great-grandson, Brian Thacker and her parents.

She is survived by her loving daughters, Sarah Almanza of Waco, and Elena Carrizales and husband, Danny, of Hewitt; daughter-in-law, Pat Reztlaff of Waco; grandchildren, Paula Ward and husband, Dave, of Ohio, Cory Russell and wife, Jodi, of Kentucky, John Almanza and wife, Nora, of Waco, Robert Almanza, Ann Almanza of San Francisco, Ca., and Eric Carrizales and wife, Mary-Martha, of Waco; great-grandchildren, Vance Ward of Ohio, Isabel Almanza, John L. Almanza and Juan Antonio Almanza of Waco, Hannah Mae Carrizales and Emiliano Matthew Carrizales of Waco, Johnny Thacker and wife, Madison, of Kentucky; great-great-granddaughter, Piper Ward of Ohio; and great-great-grandson, Aiden Thacker of Kentucky. Mary is also survived by two brothers, Jesse Rodriguez and wife, Evangelina, and Alex Rivera; numerous loved nieces and nephews and also sisters-in-law and brother-in-law.

The family would like to thank Baylor Scott and White Hospice staff for their excellent care and support.