Maria Luisa Montez Collins, known to many as “Marie”, departed this earthly life on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the age of 64, at Harbor Hospice Inpatient Care Center. She was born on December 19, 1961, to Guadalupe and Elvira Montez in Hildalgo, Texas. She was raised in the San Juan/McAllen, Texas area, commonly called the Valley, near the border of Mexico in a tight-knit community of family and loved ones.

Marie moved to Lake Charles, Louisiana, where she married and gave birth to her only daughter, Iris. She worked at the Lake Charles Civic Center for over thirty years, retiring in 2010. Marie also enjoyed spending her time listening to music, watching Kobe play basketball, watching In the Heat of the Night, and just relaxing outside on her porch. Marie was a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church that she attended regularly until her health prevented her from doing so.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents and one sister Janie Montez. She leaves to cherish her precious memories, her daughter, Iris Marie Collins; sisters, Sylvia (Reynaldo) De La Cerda, and Anna Montez; grandchildren, Simone Alonni Collins, and Ny’la Mae Zackery; and one sweet great grandchild, Zae’Lei LoLani Zackery; as well as the Collins family (in-laws), a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Family visitation will be on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 10am-12noon at King’s Funeral Home. Moments of Reflection from family and friends will begin at 12 noon at King’s Funeral Home.

Cremation services have been entrusted to King’s Funeral Home.