SSN: 455-50-7868
BORN: Maria was born In Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, in May 14, 1891. She died in Altus, Oklahoma at age 76 on February 14, 1969.
RESIDENCE:She is Interred at the Altus City Cemetery in Altus , Oklahoma
EARLY CHILDHOOD: Maria was born in Villagran (Tamaulipas) Mexico. She was the daughter of Francisco Godina and Alvina Medellin. She lived in Mexico until December 31, 1913 when she and her husband and two daughter immigrated to the United States. Rosalio was a member of the Federalistas Mexican Army and things had gotten very bad. Pancho Villa had been in Ojinaga and was defeating the Mexican Army. So Rosalio decided that they should to leave the country. They crossed over in the Big Bend of Texas, after the big battle at Ojinaja (across form Presidio, Texas). They fled with a wagonload of weapons and ammunition; however, they had to be dumped in the Rio Grande due to its heavy weight. After first settling down in Castolon, then moved on to Terlingau (AKA Chisos). There Rosalio was able to find employment at the Chisos Mining Company (located in the Chisos Mountains in the Texas Big Bend area). Sometime in early 1919 they moved to Sanderson, Texas in Terrell County (Judge Roy Bean used to have a saloon in town before he moved to Pecos). They stayed there a short while then moved on to San Angelo, Texas and by 1924 they were living in Loraine, Texas. They finally arrived in the Rhineland area sometime around 1927. some years later after the death of her husband in 1932, Maria purchased a home (around 1944) in Knox City, Texas. It included Block 14. lots 3, 5, & 6. The address was NE 5th street. It was purchased from a Dr. Edwards. She lived there until she moved to Wichita Falls with her son Leo. She obtained her U.S citizenship around 1958.
EDUCATION: Maria did not have much forrmal education. she was self- taught on how to read and write. in Spanish. And she taught her children to read and write until they could attend public school.
MILITARY: Maria did not serve in the Military.
CAREER: Maria worked as a laborer all of her life. After moving around, mostly in the Texas/Mexico border, she settled in the Rhineland area. After her husband's death she later moved to Knox City, Texas, and lived there for most of her life. She did live for a while in Wichita Falls, and Dallas with her son Leo. In her later years, after she was unable to care for herself, she moved to Altus Oklahoma with her daughter Gregoria (Golla) where lived until her death in February 1969.
OTHER ACTIVITIES: Marie loved to read, especially her bible.
MARRIAGE: Maria married Rosalio Valladares in Monterrey (Nuevo Leon) Mexico on January 5, 1911. She became a widow in March 1932 and did not remarry.
CHILDREN: Maria and Rosalio had ten children:
CHILDREN: Maria also had another daughter:
