Cover photo for Maria Perez Mendez's Obituary
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1938 Maria 2025

Maria Perez Mendez

July 4, 1938 — July 29, 2025

Altus

María Refugio Pérez-Méndez nació el 4 de julio de 1938 en México, hija de Leonardo Pérez y Magdalena Méndez. María llegó mientras el mundo celebraba, y su vida continuaria reflejando el mismo espiritu de alegria y residencia. Criada en un hogar animado con muchos hermanos, aprendió desde muy joven que la verdadera riqueza no se mide en posesiones, sino en la fuerza de la familia y el amor compartido entre ellos.

Se casó con Rosario Garrido en 1956. La joven pareja trabajó junta de campo en campo como jornaleros migrantes, abriéndose camino desde México hasta el suroeste de Oklahoma en la década de 1980, donde echaron raices. Compartieron 54 años juntos antes del fallecimiento de Rosario en 2010.

María tenia un don natural para nutrir la vida y la belleza. Su jardin rebosaba de flores y vegetales vibrantes, siempre suficientes para compartir. Su hogar, como su corazón, estaba lleno del amor y la engeria de los siete hijos que ella y Rosario tubieron: seis hijos y una hija. Les transmitió sus valores de trabajo duro, dedicación y profunda conexión familiar.

Coleccionista de figuras de àngeles y creodora de arreglos florales de seda, la mayor alegria de María provenia del tíempo que pasaba con su familia, que siempre se centraba en una comida preparada con amor por sus propías manos.

María fallecio en paz el martes 29 de julio de 2025, pocos dias después de celebrar su 87, cumpleaños.

Su marido, Rosario; padres, Leonardo y Magdalena; hijos, Seferino Garrido y Zenon Garrido,y hija, Gabriela Garrido; y tres hermanos la precedieron en la muerte.

Su legado de amor y una vida profundamente apreciada vivirá en sus hijos: Abundio Garrido y sus esposa Maximina, Natividad Garrido y su esposa Maria Esther, Manuel Garrido y Gonzalo Garrido y su esposa Lucia; sus nietos: Christina, Roberto, Gerardo, Alejandro, Mario, Betty Lou, Adriana, David, Fabiola, Zenón Jr., Isaac, Erik, Evelyn, Manuel, Uriel y Gonzalo Jr.; doce bisnietos; cuatro tataranietos; ocho hermanos; y muchas sobrinas, sobrinos, otros familiares y amigos.

La familia recibirá a sus amistades para el rezo del Rosario, programado para las 6:00 pm el viernes 1 de agosto en la Capilla de Kincannon. La misa de entierro cristiano está programada para las 10:00 am el sábado 2 de agosto en la Iglesia Católica Príncipe de Paz, oficiada por el Padre Joseph David. El entierro se realizará inmediatamente después en el Cementerio de Altus City.

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Maria Refugio Perez-Mendez, a lover of all things outdoors and a woman deeply devoted to her family, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, just days after celebrating her 87th birthday.

Born on July 4, 1938, in Mexico to Leonardo Perez and Magdalena Mendez, Maria arrived as the world celebrated, and her life would go on to reflect the same spirit of joy and resilience. Raised in a lively, love-filled home with many siblings, she learned early that true wealth is not measured in possessions but in the strength of family and the love shared among them.

She married Rosario Garrido in 1956. The young couple worked alongside one another from field to field as migrant laborers, making their way from Mexico to southwest Oklahoma in the 1980s where they planted roots. They shared 54 years together before Rosario’s passing in 2010.

Maria had a natural gift for nurturing life and beauty. Her garden overflowed with vibrant flowers and vegetables - always enough to share. Her home, like her heart, was full, filled with the love and energy of the seven children she and Rosario raised: six sons and one daughter. She passed down to them her values of hard work, dedication, and deep family connection.

A collector of angel figurines and a creator of elegant silk floral arrangements, Maria’s greatest joy came from time spent with family, which was always centered around a meal lovingly prepared by her own hands.

Her husband, Rosario; parents, Leonardo and Magdalena; children, Seferino Garrido, Gabriela Garrido, and Zenon Garrido; and three siblings preceded her in death.

Her legacy of love and a deeply cherished life will live on in her children, Abundio Garrido and wife-Maximina, Natividad Garrido and wife-Maria Esther, Manuel Garrido, and Gonzalo Garrido and wife-Lucia; grandchildren, Christina, Roberto, Gerardo, Alejandro, Mario, Betty Lou, Adriana, David, Fabiola, Zenon, Jr., Isaac, Erik, Evelyn, Manuel, Uriel, and Gonzalo, Jr.; twelve great-grandchildren; four great great-grandchildren; eight siblings; and many nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends.

The family will greet friends for a Rosary is scheduled for 6:00 PM on Friday, August 1st, in the Kincannon Memorial Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 2nd, at the Prince of Peace Catholic Church with Rev. Father Joseph David officiating. Burial will immediately follow at the Altus City Cemetery.

The service livestream may be seen at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc1Mzk4NzI2NzM3NDA5MCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==. Online memorial tributes may be made at www.kincannonfuneralhome.com.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Maria Perez Mendez, please visit our flower store.
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Service Schedule

Past Services

Rosary

Friday, August 1, 2025

6:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

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Kincannon Funeral Home

3020 N Main St, Altus, OK 73521

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Visitation

Friday, August 1, 2025

7:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)

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Kincannon Funeral Home

3020 N Main St, Altus, OK 73521

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Mass

Saturday, August 2, 2025

10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)

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Prince of Peace Catholic Church

1500 Falcon Road, Altus, OK 73521

Livestream

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Burial

Saturday, August 2, 2025

11:00 - 11:30 am (Central time)

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