Maria De Jesus Rivera was born April 14, 1951 in Guanajuato, Mexico one of eleven children born to Mercedes (Silva) and Antonio Mendoza. She married Francisco Rivera January 20, 1972 in Rosarito, Mexico and they moved to Shafter in 1978 where they raised their family. Maria was a loving, devoted grandmother who enjoyed caring for her grandchildren through their growing up years. Maria loved sewing and cooking for her family but would feed anyone in need; she loved it when people enjoyed her food. Maria was a lovely example of what it means to have a servant's heart. She volunteered her time and cooking talents to many church activities and fundraising events. She sold tamales and tortillas, visited the sick at hospitals, the elderly at convalescent hospitals and the inmates in prisons. Even when she was low on money, she would give groceries to the needy. Maria was a very caring and giving person, always putting everyone else first. Maria is survived by her husband of 41 years, Francisco; children,, Eva and husband Angel Canez , Francisco and wife Stacy, Jose Antonio Rivera and Maria Mercedes and husband Jose Torres; brothers, Juan, Carlos, Esteban, Jose and Benjamin; sisters, Lupe, Consuelo, Tomasa and Alicia; 9 grandchildren, Angel, Monica, Isabella, Vanessa, David, Leo, Emily, Ariana and Jose. Maria was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Leonardo; and 2 grandsons, Daniel and Joel. An evening service will be held on Wednesday, May 22 at 6pm at Peters Funeral Home, Shafter for Maria De Jesus Rivera, age 62, of Bakersfield who passed away May 20, 2013 in Bakersfield surrounded by her family. A funeral service will be held Thursday, May 23 at 10am followed by graveside services at Shafter Memorial Park. Pastor Roy Ramirez of the Christian Fellowship Church will officiate the services. A visitation will start at 2pm on Wednesday, May 22 at Peters Funeral Home.