Maria de la Luz Currens

August 26, 1946 - February 9, 2021

Maria de la Luz Currens knew how to “dab” and she knew how to “dougie”. She was “iced” and took shots of tequila when coaxed by her seven grandchildren. She was the cool grandma. No, the COOLEST grandma! Maria and her husband of 53 years, Charles, took their grandkids to Disney World, went to concerts and wrestling matches with them and took them to see the Cubs, her favorite team. She went to their games-basketball, football, softball, volleyball, baseball and cheer competitions- to support them and show them she loved them. There is no doubt they were her world. She also had two great grandchildren, Skyler Currens and Spencer Yunker, who were just learning how fiercely she loved.

Of course, her three children, Yvette, Chuck and Yvonne have known this all their lives because she was there for them too. As a bus driver for Washington Community High School she was fortunate to drive them to many of their extra curricular activities. When she wasn’t driving, she was volunteering as a chaperone or “room mom” to help with holiday classroom parties. Anything to spend time with her kids. In the process, she met and left impressions on so many young people and adults. Always sharing a smile, a laugh, a word of advice or encouragement. Maria didn’t stop there though. You always knew what she was thinking. She really didn’t hold back anything. But there was never any doubt that she cared and loved you. 

When Chuck met her in Peoria, IL, in 1967, he didn’t know all of these things. He was mesmerized by her laugh, her smile, those dimples! He first met her when she and a friend walked past his stoop. His roommate knew Maria and introduced them. It wasn’t love at first sight. Chuck thought she was cute but cocky. Little did he know the feeling was mutual. Fast forward a few months when Chuck was working at the grocery store and Maria strolled in. He crashed a pallet of potatoes into a display as she flashed her smile and dimples and said “Hi!”  He composed himself and chased her down in the parking lot where he asked her out on a date. The rest as they say is history, or in this case, their story. 

Maria was an outgoing, outspoken woman who had many friends. Her neighbors, coworkers from Methodist Medical Center, and church members from Roland Manor Baptist Church and Galena Park Baptist Church. Everyone knew she practiced retail therapy and loved to find a bargain. If you were looking for a particular item, all you had to do was let her know. She made it her mission to find it and would often call her assistants (Yvonne, Yvette and various friends) to keep an eye out for whatever it was. It brought her joy to help others in even the smallest ways. 

In the early years of marriage, when funds were tight for her growing family, Maria took up “sale-ing”. When you say it out loud you might think she owned a boat. But alas, she and her BFF Diana would pack the car with 6 kids on Thursday mornings in the summer and head off to the area garage sales to find their next bargain. 

You see, Maria came from a large family and learned how to stretch a dollar. She was the second oldest, the first daughter, of ten children. Her parents, Jose and Teodora Ponce, married in Texas and settled in Brownsville where she was born on August 26, 1946. They moved their family to Peoria, IL in 1955 where they grew the family from seven to ten children. That’s where Maria blossomed into a strong, loving woman. She and Chuck moved to Washington, IL to raise their family and then retired to Cape Coral, FL with their fur babies Sugar and Sweetness, where they reside today. 

Maria was called home to Jesus on February 9, 2021 after contracting the COVID-19 virus. She was met at the pearly gates by her parents, her son, Charles Currens II, her brothers, Esteban Ponce and Ismael Ponce, her pup, Sugar and many other loved ones. 

Her love, laughter, smile, and daily phone calls will be missed by her husband Charles Currens, her daughters, Yvette Hodges and Yvonne Bambule and her sons-in-law Matthew Hodges and Jeff Bambule. 

Her grandchildren, Lauren Currens, Josee Hodges, Juell Hodges, Jacob Bambule, Jazmynn Hodges, Kaylee Bambule and Jaeden Hodges will miss her smile, texts, silly snap chats, flash dances and willingness to try new things. 

Her siblings, Andres Cervantes (Lisa), Eduardo Ponce, Ernestina Stelmach (Artur), Evangelina Albaugh (Larry), Rogelio Ponce, Norma Ponce and Ricardo Ponce will remember how she loved to dance and laugh. They’ll remember her love (sometimes tough) and how she stood up for them. 

Her God daughter, Cecilia Workman will treasure Maria’s big heart, fighting spirit and protective love. Many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews will miss her thoughtfulness and support. 

Maria’s gift was her infectious smile and laugh. Her legacy will be how she shared that gift, and her strength and love- carried on by all who knew and loved her. Honor her by sharing your gift, doing kind deeds, sharing a smile with a stranger and showing and telling your family and friends how much you love them. 

Maria’s life will be celebrated at a later date for friends and family to gather. 

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.

Guestbook

  1. Diana morris Feb 15, 2021 at 11:03 am

    What an earthly treasure she has been. So many great memories and fun times and secrets shared. Til we meet again my sweet sister.

  2. DeAnna Hentz Feb 15, 2021 at 11:42 am

    What a great memorial letter, and so true. She will be greatly missed. My deepest sympathy to the entire family and know that I’m holding you all in my prayers.

  3. Max and Nancy Hodgeses Feb 15, 2021 at 11:50 am

    What a perfect way to describe Maria’s life and share her story… You are all in our thoughts and prayers. She’s made a huge difference in so many lives. We’ll hold her close in our hearts always…❤❤

  4. Joey Cappelletti Feb 15, 2021 at 12:45 pm

    One of the nicest and caring woman I’ve ever met. An absolute Saint.

  5. Marlene garrett Feb 15, 2021 at 4:09 pm

    I will remember maria forever. Bless her wonderful. spirit. She will be missed by many

  6. LeeAnn Lentz Feb 15, 2021 at 4:20 pm

    Maria is gone but not forgotten. She would always tell it like it was. I know everyone is going to miss her and her smile. We always had fun together at MMCi. Prayers for comfort and peace with this tragic loss. Prayers for Chuck and all the family. Wishing you could have had one more gathering as a family.

  7. Kristina Feb 16, 2021 at 12:36 am

    You will be miss so much Tia 😢💔. You have left a big impression on so many lives. Your smile has been passed down ❤

  8. JOHN MUTTSCHALL Feb 16, 2021 at 11:46 am

    She was such a beautiful person inside and out. I never heard her say anything bad about anyone. My heart goes out to Chuck and the family. She also is a Cub fan who bled Cubbie blue like I do. I know she will be rooting for them from above now.

  9. Arletta Shaw Feb 16, 2021 at 5:13 pm

    I remember talking to Maria over our backyard fence we shared for many years in Sunnyland, We moved, Maria and Chuck moved, and I did not see her for a long time. Then in December of 2013, I got a text from Maria could we meet up. We did, she had bought Kent and I both a Washington Strong tee shirt, , hugs and prayers, because we had lost our home in Washington’s tornado of 2013! That was Maria, she was so thoughtful! Will pray got your family.

  10. Julie Blevins Barclay Feb 16, 2021 at 11:35 pm

    Beautiful obituary for a beautiful woman. RIP Maria.

  11. Kathy Holmes Feb 17, 2021 at 2:02 pm

    My deepest sympathy goes out to Maria’s family. I’m so sorry for this tragic loss. I remember fondly our years together at Methodist Medical Center. 💗

  12. Nicole Hurst Feb 17, 2021 at 2:41 pm

    Maria, you were a genuine soul and you will be missed.

  13. Rory Cooper Feb 17, 2021 at 8:30 pm

    Her laugh was absolutely infectious. As a kid when my mom and stepdad bought us our first house, Yvette, Yvonne, and Chucky were my first friends in a new neighborhood…they came over, said hi and invited me to their yard to play. I think we spent nearly every day playing together until they moved across town. I’ll never forget Maria teaching me to count in Spanish and I’ll absolutely never forget how she’d whistle for her kids to come home to eat, or if we were in trouble. Lol
    Maria and Chuck made it a point to welcome me to their home when I came home to visit for the first time since I left at 19.
    The following year when I went back again they took me out for dinner for my birthday.
    I’ll never forget Maria, or her laughter, or that whistle.
    I wish the entire family and all of their friends peace and solace.

  14. Connie Alvarez Feb 18, 2021 at 12:40 pm

    What a beautiful tribute to my dear cousin! The one thing I always remember and most admired about her when we were young was her beautiful laugh! She was always happy and a little mischievous! A few years ago when we went back home she and Chuck took Jose Carlos and me out and we had such a fun time. She mentioned how she always thought I was so beautiful when we were young and that was funny because Noe and I always called her the “Bell of the family” Although we drifted apart and lost touch I am so happy that she found a wonderful husband and built such a beautiful family. That is the tribute to her for they show us who she really is in everyone of them. I know she is keeping everyone laughing in heaven!! Loving prayers to Chuck and the family! Love you Maria!

  15. Marlene Parmele Feb 21, 2021 at 3:26 am

    Maria, my friend, I will cherish our Band Chaperone Days of yesteryear, and our FB friendship of late… Memories of just years back came up on my feed today! God be near your beautiful family always! I will miss your living heart!♥️🌹🌺 Marlene

  16. charles currens May 22, 2021 at 5:55 pm

    Blessed to know her.

  17. Juanita A Trevino May 29, 2021 at 1:44 pm

    Our deepest Sympathy to your Family. We grew up with the Cervantes family in Peoria IL and were like family. I Pray Maria has eternal rest and happiness.
    Trevino Family

  18. Jeanne Johnson ( Place) Aug 15, 2023 at 4:40 pm

    I was with Maria 53 years ago when she met Chuck in that grocery store. Went to Mexico twice with her and her family. What special memories we made. Even though we lost touch for a long time I thought of her often and I miss her very much. ❤️

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