Maria Elia Leon De Lemus

Maria Elia Leon de Lemus of Emporia left to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 2, 2020 at her home surrounded by her family after a long battle against Cholangiocarcinoma (cancer of the bile ducts).  She was 77.

Maria was born on November 11, 1942 in Michoacán, Mexico the daughter of Julian Leon and Alberta Tovar.  She married Lino Lemus Castillo on March 3, 1960 in San Jeronimo Michoacán, Mexico.  He survives.

Surviving family members include: husband, Lino Lemus Castillo of Emporia; sons, Domingo Lemus and Cecilio Lemus both of Texas; daughters, Audelia Reynoso of Mexico, Ofelia Lemus of Mexico, Maria del Carmen Guzman of Emporia;  Maria Dolores Baza of Emporia, Patricia Rangel of Texas, Diana Lopez of Delaware, Marbella Villegas of Emporia, Rubicela Sphabmixay of Lawrence, and Celina Perlera of Emporia; brothers, Joaquin Leon of Mexico, and Rodolfo Leon of Idaho; 39 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandson.

She is preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Caritina Leon, Engracia Leon, and Aurora Leon; grandsons, Enrique Guzman, and Diego Lopez; granddaughter, Yoseany Reynoso.

Maria was a homemaker.  She was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Emporia and Cursillos.  Maria loved to travel and see new places as well as spending time with her family.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 6, 2020 at St. Catherine Catholic Church, Emporia.  The rosary will be recited at 10:15 a.m. before the service.  Burial will follow at the Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Emporia.