Mary Chapa

Mary Chapa, of Groesbeck, passed away at Providence Hospital in Waco on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019, at age 77.

Funeral services were held Monday, Jan. 21, at the First Baptist Church in Groesbeck, with the Rev. Tracy Sims officiating, followed by burial in Faulkenberry Cemetery.

Mary was born on Jan. 23, 1941, to Joe Morales Sr. and Victoria (Vega) Morales.   She grew up in the Kosse-Thornton-Groesbeck area as the family moved around picking cotton.

After Mary met Luis B. Chapa in Lamesa where he lived while she was there with her family picking cotton, they were united in marriage in Groesbeck on May 26, 1962.  They lived in Lamesa a year and then moved to Groesbeck where they lived the rest of their lives.

Mary worked several years for Varo and several other companies, but in 1979, she decided to start her own business and she and her sister opened the small Tamale Inn on Highway 14 near Groesbeck.  Her food was so popular that people waited sitting on a small bench or waiting outside for a table, especially on Friday nights before a ball game or other school events and on Sundays at noon. Many stepped back to the kitchen to tell Mary how much they enjoyed her food, especially the Chicken Enchiladas and queso dip.  The business became so overwhelming that she and Luis built a larger restaurant in 1990 closer to Mexia.   Mary stood on her feet many hours for many days for many years cooking and cleaning up sometimes from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m. the next day.  But she said she would rather have a Dairy Queen taco than her own.

Mary was influential on many kids who worked for her.  She could be tough, saying that if they worked for her they were “her kids,” but also kind to them.  She felt so proud of them when they grew up to be very successful, some lawyers, doctors, teachers, or just good workers in whatever field they chose.  Many of the kids could come talk to her about things they would not talk about with their parents.    

Mary’s life could be summed up saying she loved to work, loved helping other people, loved her kids, grandchildren, and two great granddaughters.  Also, she loved cats, some raised from kittens and some strays she gave a home. She was a pretty lady and a beautiful soul.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Hortencia Morales; brother, Joe Morales Jr; daughter, Yvette Roberts; and her husband, Luis B. Chapa.

She is survived by her son, Luis Chapa Jr. of Groesbeck; granddaughter, Victoria Chapa of Waco; grandson, Gavin Carpenter of Groesbeck; great-granddaughters, Aurora and Athena Garza of Waco; sister, Josie and husband Bill Roberts of Corsicana; brothers, Jessie and wife Maria Morales of San Antonio and Jim Morales of Normangee; and nieces and nephews.

Visit www.groesbeckfuneralhome.com to leave messages of condolence on the guestbook.com.