Marie G. Fernandez

Marie Rosalie Golemon Fernandez, 92, of Austin (formerly of Toluca Ranch in the South Texas Rio Grande Valley), passed away peacefully on September 23, 2014 at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
The daughter of Haney and Florence Golemon, she was born on March 15, 1922 in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. Her Southern roots gave her the grace, charm and hospitality she was known for her entire adult life, as well as her love of seafood and her ability to cook a mean pot of lima beans. She was known for the warmth with which she welcomed new friends, and a contagious smile that put all around her at ease.
During World War II, Marie met a handsome Navy man, Santiago "Jimmy" Fernandez, at a USO event near Chickasaw, Alabama, where the two enjoyed the first of the many dances they would share for more than five decades. Jimmy quickly fell in love with the green-eyed beauty's sweet personality, intelligence and sense of humor, and swept her off to a new life of ranching in South Texas.
Marie and Jimmy reared their large family on the legendary Toluca Ranch in Progreso, Texas, the site of numerous family celebrations, including baptisms, weddings, Easter egg hunts, and community “pachangas.” Marie and Jimmy maintained the Toluca Ranch tradition of leadership in the community, gracious hospitality and responsible stewardship to the land, which still houses the historic St. Joseph's Chapel, built by Don Florencio Saenz and dedicated in 1899. Their happy marriage lasted for 53 years until Jimmy's death in 1997.
In addition to her years spent rearing their children, Marie enjoyed a 17-year career as a busy on-air traffic scheduler at KRGV-Radio in Weslaco, Texas, retiring soon after they announced that her typewriter would be replaced by a computer.
She was preceded in death by her husband, a son Robert; her parents; and a brother and sister, Horace Golemon and Margaret Miller. She is survived by her children, Michael (Yolanda) Fernandez of Weslaco; Florence (John) Flowers of Sweeny; Linda (Marc) Koch of Austin; Juliana Helton of Buda; and Catherine (Dennis) Kovar of East Bernard; 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchilden.
She is also survived by a sister, Mildred Golemon and brothers, Vincent Golemon and Harrell Golemon, all of Mobile, AL; Hilton Golemon of Helena, MT; Houston Golemon of Semmes, AL; and Jerome Golemon of Lucedale, MS; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be grandsons Vance Flowers, Vincent Valdes, Javier Fernandez, Nolan Kovar, Kendall Koch and Nathan Helton. Honorary pallbearers are sons-in law, Marc Koch, Dennis Kovar and John Flowers.
A viewing will be held on Friday, September 26, 2014 from 4:00 - 9:00 with a rosary at 7:00 pm at McCaleb Funeral Home in Weslaco, TX. A Mass of celebration will be said at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Mercedes, Texas. Burial will follow at the F. Saenz Family Cemetery next to St. Joseph's Chapel on Toluca Ranch. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of McCaleb Funeral Home in Weslaco, TX.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Marie's memory are invited to contribute to the Toluca Chapel Restoration Fund c/o Richard Fernandez, 213 Hill Drive, Coppell, TX 75019, or to a charity of their choice.