Maria Perez, 72 of Immokalee passed away unexpectedly  December 27, 2018.

Always had a smile on her face and a story to tell. Texas born, Immokalee reared, she lived in Virginia for 30 years before returning home to Immokalee to live out her life with her husband Samuel.

She retired from the Collier County Sheriff's Office as a certified Chef and was an active advocate for immigration rights in her community.

Her alcolades are many, but Marias children and grandchildren were the pride and joy of her life. The legacy of Maria's kind spirit, passion for cooking, love of spending time with friends, and zest for life will live on through them.. It's been said Maria never met a stranger. She will be missed but not forgotten.

Maria was survived by her husband Samuel Perez, her children Emery Joseph Mears, Sheryl Anne Pruitt, Tammy Fay Wood-Dixon (Thomas Dixon) Robert Salomon Gonzales (Predeceased), Crystal Diane Wood-Morales (Juan Morales), Maridesi Perez and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Monday, December 31, 2018 at Brister Funeral Home Chapel from 11:00-1:00 p.m. The funeral service will be a Graveside Service at Lake Trafford Memorial Gardens at 1:30 with Father Wilner officiating.