Maria Guadalupe Hernandez Torres, 84, passed away peacefully on Jan. 25, 2026, in Kingwood, Texas.
She was born on June 18, 1941, in Villa Mainero, Tamaulipas, Mexico, to Victoriano Torres Nuñez and Manuela Mejorado Silva. Maria lived in Dayton for the past five years and previously resided in Houston and Mexico.
Maria found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved playing bingo, reading, and solving math problems. She enjoyed watching television, especially nature programs, Spanish soap operas, and Judge Judy. She was talented with her hands and took pride in sewing by hand and tending to her flower beds. Cooking for her family brought her great happiness—she was especially known for preparing the Thanksgiving turkey, homemade tamales, and salsa, traditions her family will cherish forever.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Maria Alice Torres Mejorado.
Maria is survived by her devoted husband of 45 years, Daniel Hernandez; her sons Carlos DeLeon and wife Sonia, Juan C. DeLeon, Alonzo DeLeon and wife Susana, Victor M. DeLeon, and Daniel Hernandez Jr. and wife Alma; her daughter Dora Garcia; and her sister Maria Adela Torres Mejorado. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren Natalie M. DeLeon, Brando DeLeon, Victoria J. DeLeon and husband William, Miranda DeLeon, Ivan Cedillo, Juliet Hernandez, and Max Hernandez, as well as her cherished great-grandchild Matteo I. Hall.
A visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton. A funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., also at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home.