Maria Emma Gonzalez Rivera of Corpus Christi, Texas, was called home by the Lord on January 7, 2024.
She was born on September 15, 1938, to Adela Benavides Gonzalez and Federico Gonzalez. She graduated from San Diego High School in 1957, and married the love of her life Pedro Rivera Jr. in 1958. They were married for 65 years. She was a full-time mother/wife to her 4 sons and husband. Homecooked meals were her specialty and sometimes she operated as a short-order cook. During the Christmas Season, she could be found making homemade tamales and “pan de polvo” for all to enjoy. After her sons were grown, she began her career with CCISD, where Emma eventually retired from
Miller High School in 2002, as an assistant in the registrar’s office. Emma enjoyed traveling with her husband and sons to Laughlin and Las Vegas, Nevada, where she would enjoy playing poker and slot machines. Emma was devoted to her family. She loved her grandsons and great-grandsons and was proud of the title Grandma! In her younger years, Emma was known for horse playing with her sons and it was not unheard of for her to be caught playing football with her boys and her grandboys. We will miss you Grandma, but you live in our hearts forever.
Emma was preceded in death by her parents Adela & Federico Gonzalez, sister Julia Gonzalez, brothers Genaro Gonzalez and Federico Gonzalez, and her son Pete Rivera III. She is survived by her husband Pedro Rivera Jr., sons Albert Rivera (Stephanie), Adrian O. Rivera (Leticia), and Carlos F. Rivera (Yvette), grandsons Adrian Rivera Jr. (Katherine), Carlos F. Rivera Jr., Marcos A. Rivera, and great-grandsons Adrian O. III, Pedro J., Gabriel R., and Sebastian I. Rivera, sister Julia Carreno (George), and numerous nephews and nieces.
A visitation will be held from 5-8 pm with a Rosary beginning at 7 pm on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at Maxwell P. Dunne Funeral Service – Yorktown Blvd. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 11am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 7522 Everhart Rd., Corpus Christi, Texas 78413. Burial will follow at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery, 9974 IH 37 Access Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78410 with a reception following at Maxwell P. Dunne Funeral Service – Yorktown Blvd.
Pallbearers are Alex Benavides, Genaro Gonzalez, Adrian O. Rivera Jr., Carlos Rivera Jr., Marcos A. Rivera, and Ruben Rivera.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
