Maria Velez

Maria Velez Pedraza, age 85, passed away peacefully and surrounded by love on Wednesday, April 24th 2019 at 2:45PM in her home in Roswell, GA where she lived with her daughter, Rosa Perez, and son-in-law, Antonio Perez. Maria was born July 16, 1933 in a remote village of Acoxcatlán, Tepehuacán de Guerrero Hildalgo, Mexico to the late Maria Luisa Martinez Arellanos and Zabulon Pedraza. Maria was the oldest of seven children: Celia Jacobo, Galo Pedraza, Eva Melo, Zabulon Pedraza, Leo Pedraza y Timotea Pedraza. She moved away from this village to Mexico City at the age of 14 with a desire to earn money to help feed her family. There she met and married a handsome soldier, the late Mauro Velez. Maria was a completely selfless individual who always sacrificed for her family. As the oldest of 7 children who were all born in poverty, Maria, yet still a child, had to work as a maid and cook in other people's homes in order to help provide for her younger siblings. At the age of 14, Maria made the decision to leave her home for the city in hopes to find a better job. Maria's selflessness didn't stop there. Once she became a mother, Maria constantly cared for each of her children. Maria had 9 living children and each pregnancy was harder than the last. Yet, Maria loved and cared for each deeply. She would often share a story of how she would spend 3 hours feeding her twins because that is what they needed for them to thrive. Maria was mostly known for her immense strength, her incredible ability to forgive and her one of a kind capacity to provide love to all those around her. That legacy of love spread beyond her children to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Nothing made her smile more than being surrounded by her family. Her greatest joys were cooking, spending time in the garden while enjoying the sun and viewing the beautiful flowers, listening to music, singing to her favorite songs and spending time with her family. Maria was an honest woman that lived an exemplary life and was loved by all those that knew her especially her family. She is survived by her children Lidia Garcia, Miguel Velez, Rosa Perez, Mauro Velez, Enrique Velez, Carlos Velez, Raul and Roberto Velez and their spouses. She was proceeded in death by her daughter, Maribel Velez. Maria's legacy extended to 23 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. The Broken Chain We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; for part of us went with you the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide; and though we cannot see you, you are always on our side. Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same; but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again. Please join us in celebrating her life. Funeral services will be held at Poole Funeral Home, 1970 Eagle Drive, Woodstock, GA 30189.