Maria Souza

It is with great sadness that the family of Maria José Guedes Souza, 78, of Pernambuco, Brazil, who resided in Arlington, Texas, announce her passing on July 22, 2019 at Forum Parkway Health and Rehabilitation Center in Bedford, Texas, after a short battle with a brain tumor.

Maria will be greatly missed and forever remembered by her beloved husband Genaro Gomes Souza, 85, of Recife, Brazil; ten children - Jeanne [& Alan] Alford of Cabot, Arkansas, Marcos [& Emília] Souza of São José dos Campos, Brazil, Zelia [& Paul] McGaha of Tyler, Texas, Carlos [& Michèle] Souza of Eus, France, Ricardo [& Marian] Souza of Cabot, Arkansas, Alexandre [& Lisa] Souza, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Mahatma [& Daniel] Thompson of Allen, Texas, Rachel [& Jay] Dawson of Belton, Texas, Ana Paula [& Shawn] Mumy of Ottawa, Kansas, and Daniel [& Jessica] Souza of Belo Horizonte, Brazil; 5 siblings residing in Brazil; 33 grandchildren - Daniel [& Jennifer] Alford, Matthew [& Martha] Alford, Bethany McGaha, Paul [& Elizabeth] McGaha, Jacob [& Jennifer] McGaha, Anne [& Matt] Lyles, Jessica McGaha, Megan McGaha, Sarah [& Zachary] Johnson, Jessica Souza, Bryan Souza, Staci [& Michael] Elizondo, Marcos [& Maddie] Souza, Emily Souza, Michael Ellis, Natalie [& DJ] Nimmers, Nicholas Thompson, Emily [& Judah] Tanella, Isabelle Thompson, Anna Thompson, Jacob Thompson, Sophia Thompson, Maggie Thompson, Erica Dawson, Nathan Dawson, Steven Dawson, Rebekah Mumy, Caleb Mumy, Josiah Souza, Claire Souza, Aaron Souza, Annaleigh Souza, and Levi Souza; along with 17 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins

Maria was a dedicated wife, loving mother, doting grandmother and great-grandmother, faithful servant of the Lord Jesus, committed sister, aunt and friend. She was passionate about leading others to the throne of grace in prayer, and she devoted the last 12 years of her life to the Desperta Débora prayer ministry and her local church. She was an avid reader and also loved to bless others through her gift of crocheting.