Maria Lara, age 68, died at her home on Tuesday, May 3, 2011. Born in Kendall, Texas, she had been a resident of Okeechobee for 60 years.
She enjoyed sewing and caring for her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jose Lara and Jovita Castillo; brother, Geronimo Lara; and a sister, Maggie.
Survivors include her son, Joseph (Rebecca) Rivera of Okeechobee; daughter, Sanjuana (Sixto) Rodriguez; six grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; grandchildren, Joann (Richard) Gaucin and Manuel Flores, both reared by Maria; brothers, Tony (Elsie) Lara of Brighton, Fla., Martin (Olga) Lara, Luis (Elosia) Lara; and a sister, Delores Lara, all of Okeechobee.