Maria del Carmen Arias

Maria del Carmen Arias
1940-2017

Maria del Carmen Arias, 76, of Amarillo died on June 11, 2017. Wake service will be held at 6:00 pm followed by a visitation on Thursday, June 15, 2017 in LaGrone-Blackburn-Shaw Coulter Road Chapel. Funeral mass will be held at 10:00 am Friday, June 16, 2017 in St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. Arrangements are by LaGrone Blackburn Shaw Funeral Directors, 8310 S Coulter St.

She was born on November 18, 1940 in Buenos Aires, Argentina to Sofia and Alejandro Abud. The oldest of six children, she helped raise her brothers and sisters. On January 31, 1970, she married Jose Pedro Arias. After the birth of their first child, they came to the United States so that he could continue his medical education. During this time, they fell in love with everything this country had and has to offer. Two more children later, they settled in the Texas Panhandle—first in Dumas and then in Amarillo. In the Texas Panhandle, she found people that shared her values of faith, honesty, and hard work. She stressed these values, along with the importance of a strong education, to her children, pushing them to work hard in everything they attempted and, most importantly, to never give up. As her children grew older, she helped manage her husband’s medical practice. However, she was always most proud of her work as a wife and mother. She also loved music and dance. She was a strong supporter of the arts in the community. She enjoyed meeting new people from all walks of life and making friendships that lasted a lifetime. While she will be deeply missed, her memory and influence will live forever in our hearts and minds.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Dr. Jose Arias of Amarillo, two sons, Fernando “Fred” and wife Karen of Plano and Diego and wife Natalia of Seabrook; a daughter, Veronica of Canyon; a sister Nora Lopez of Buenos Aires; a brother Alejandro Abud of Caracas, Venezuela; and four grandchildren, Analisa, Alex, Luciana, and Eliana.

The family wishes to thank all the people who contributed to her care in her latter days. She is now free of all earthly ailments. She has taken God's hand and is now at peace. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Amarillo Food Bank or the Amarillo Symphony.