Maria Servantes

It is with profound sadness that the Servantes and Alonzo families announce the passing of Maria Magdalena Servantes of Uvalde on January 19, 2022 at the age of 72.  Known to those who loved her and to members of her community as “Maggie,” she was born on December 2, 1949 in Laredo, TX to Arnulfo Alonzo and Concepción de la Garza.  She married her sweetheart Jose “Joe” Servantes Jr. on August 13, 1967 and together they had their daughter Sonia Servantes Bell and they later settled in Uvalde.

Maggie went to Cosmetology school in 1969 and obtained her first job at Lantana Beauty Salon in Kingsville, Texas.  Her passion for making customers feel beautiful led her to open her own salon called “The Artistic Beauty Salon” in Uvalde where she frequently organized hairstyle shows with customers. One cannot remember Maggie without bringing up her love for children.  In addition to raising their daughter, Maggie and her husband were foster parents for four years, during which time they welcomed and cared for many children in their home. This chapter of her life was always a cherished time for Maggie.

She realized that her love for nurturing children was a true life calling, and after pursuing her GED, she transitioned to a career in childcare with the grand opening of Rainbow Pals Daycare in Uvalde.  “Miss Maggie,” as those in the childcare community called her, impacted hundreds upon hundreds of Uvalde-area children and families during her lifetime.  She offered early childhood education programming as well as guitar lessons, and later served as Director of Powers & Kirchners Child Development Center for fifteen years and was co-owner of Rainbow Pals Daycare from its inception.

Those who knew Maggie will remember that in addition to her commitment to children and her family, she was also deeply devoted to her Catholic faith. Maggie was a member of the choir at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Eucharistic minister to homebound parishioners, and an incredibly active member of several church organizations including the Guadalupanas, Cursillistas, and Evangelization & Divine Mercy groups. Maggie also combined her strong faith and love for children by teaching catechism courses at the church for forty-three years, oftentimes incorporating her guitar and love for singing into the lessons.

Outside of her professional career and commitment to the church, Maggie loved sharing quality time with her family.  They would frequently take trips to Concan, Texas to admire the beauty of nature and make precious family memories with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Maggie is survived by her husband of 54 years Jose “Mr. Joe” Servantes, Jr., her daughter and best friend Sonia Servantes Bell, both of Uvalde.  She is also survived by four grandchildren: Kyle Felan and his wife Lyndi Felan of Abilene, Kaycee Felan and fiancé Emilio Hernandez, Tyler Felan, and Kaleb Bell, as well as her two precious great-granddaughters Piper Jaye Felan and Ellee Jo Hernandez. She was preceded in death by her parents Mrs. and Mrs. Arnulfo Alonzo, her in-laws Mr. and Mrs. José Servantes Sr., and her son-in-law Daryl Lee Bell.

Visitation will begin on Thursday January 27, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. followed by a rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Rushing -Estes-Knowles Mortuary.  A celebration of life mass will be held on Friday, January 28, 2022 at 10:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.  Internment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Kyle Felan, Tyler Felan, Emilio Hernandez, Juan Alonzo, Ernest Servantes Sr., Nathaniel Castillo, Hector Servantes Jr., and Joel Servantes.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Kaleb Lane Bell, Piper Jaye Felan, Ellee Jo Hernandez, and all of the children whose lives she so lovingly impacted