Mauritta (Ritta) Louise Torres, 79, of Texas City, Texas passed away on April 6, 2024. She was born on July 23rd, 1944, in Briggs, Texas to Worley and Dorothy Jernigan. She was a resident of Texas City for 62 years and a member of St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church in Texas City, Texas.

Mrs. Torres graduated from Poitiers American High School in Poitiers, France in 1961. She then moved to Texas City where she met her husband, Jose D. Torres. They raised a family, created a life together and were married for 46 years prior to Mr. Torres’ passing in 2008.

She embodied the best of qualities: unconditional love, independence, determination and unending generosity. Ritta became a real estate agent/broker and was the owner of Ritta Realty and co-owner of Sunrise Realty, serving Galveston and surrounding Counties. She also worked for the TCISD School District in the administration office. Later in her career, she was very proud to join Southland Title working in Marketing and Business Development.

Ritta is preceded in death by her parents, Worley and Dorothy Jernigan, her sister Lynn Burt, and her best friend, Barbara Green. She is survived by her sons, Dean Torres and fiancé Palmi of Cypress, Tx. and James Torres and wife Amy of Texas City, Texas. Along with her husband and children, the loves of her life were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren – Taylor Torres, Ryan Torres, Alyssa Torres, Brayden Torres, and Avery Torres. She was given the gift of joy with the birth of her great-grandchildren, Leo, and Luca Torres. Mrs. Torres also had many nephews, cousins, and in-laws that she loved and cared for deeply. To her friends and acquaintances, she was known simply as “Ritta”. The name she cherished most to hear was “Grandma”.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church located at 1604 9th Ave. N. in Texas City, officiated by Deacon Steve Mistretta. A reception will follow in Ponzini Hall at the same location. In lieu of flowers, and in honor of her love of reading, memorials may be dedicated to Moore Memorial Library in Texas City, Texas.