Maria Theresa Segovia

Maria Theresa Segovia

May 20, 1931 – August 24, 2021

Maria Theresa Segovia passed away on August 24, 2021, at 90 years old. Those in the Trona and Ridgecrest communities may have known her as Terry, but she also answered to Theresa, Grandma Terry (whether she was your grandmother or not), Grandma Great, Grandma Grape, G.G., and - with increased frequency as she aged - Maria.

Though born in Los Angeles to Jacinto and Francisca Rodriguez, she was raised in the household of her oldest sister, Charlotte (Carlota) Moncada. She married Ernie (Ernesto) Segovia in November of 1949, and they moved to Trona shortly after the birth of their third child in the mid 1950's. There they had two more children together, before Ernie passed away in 1962. She stayed in Trona to raise her pack of hooligans, affectionately known as Terry and her pirates. She worked hard as a cook, cleaner, and housekeeper, to support her family and regularly attended St. Madeline's Catholic Church.

Not far from the Segovia and Rodriguez families in Los Angeles, she was able to maintain ties with extended family. She would happily pack family visitors into the two bedroom Segovia home in Trona, and always kept the kitchen busy. She loved to cook for others. It was a bit of love-hate relationship at times: she would groan at the hassle of making dozens upon dozens of Christmas tamales every year (it was difficult to maintain quality control amongst her grandchildren helpers), but was always ready to cook up a feast for monthly family gatherings and whip up a meal for visitors.

A childhood accident separated Maria from her family in her youth and affected her mobility throughout her life. She went on disability at an early age. Soon after, in 1985, she moved to Ridgecrest where she soon became a fixture at St. Ann's Catholic Church. Later, she was a regular at the city's fields and gymnasiums. Often an isolated island in her wheelchair, she cheered on whichever grandchild had a game and chatted up anyone who stopped by to say hi. She was always her family's greatest supporter and cheerleader, as they were her greatest joy. She especially delighted in the company of the young children and pups.

Maria was preceded in death by her husband Ernie, her parents, her six siblings, and her grandchildren Cheyanne Horn and Anthony Segovia. She is survived by her children, Paul Segovia, Vivian Boske, and Lorraine Horn of Ridgecrest, Steven Segovia of Trona, and David Segovia of Lake Isabella, as well as a pack of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great grandchildren.