Elodia Garza

Elodia A. Garza, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great- grandmother, passed away on December 26, 2023. She was 88 years old.

Born on March 18, 1935, in Mission, TX, Elodia built a life filled with love, joy, and countless cherished memories. She was a devoted and loving wife to Ramiro C. Garza for 70 years and the proud mother of nine children: Norma Santos Sanchez (Miguel Angel), Ramiro Garza Jr (Rosario), Maritonia “Mardy” Guerra (Frank), Maria Perla “Pearl” Garza (Trinidad Zepeda), Rosario “Rosie” Martinez (Arnold), Olga Alicia Garza (Juan), Roel Garza (Cynthia), Sandra Serna (Eduardo), and Rafael Garza (Grace).

She is preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband of 73 years Ramiro C. Garza; her father, Rumaldo Castillo Alonzo; her mother, Maria Garcia Alonzo; two brothers, Fidel Alonzo and Jose Benancio Alonzo; and sister, Matilde Penaflor.

Elodia adored her numerous grandchildren and was excited that her family had grown over the years to include many great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren. Her family was her greatest source of happiness and pride.

Elodia was a proud and devoted homemaker. She found great joy and satisfaction in raising her family and being a beacon of love and support for her family, extended family, and her community. In addition, at various points in her life, she held jobs as a pre-school assistant teacher, line assembly worker, and field laborer- both locally and out-of-state as a migrant worker with her family. Elodia saw the experiences of traveling for work with her family up north as an adventure. She also served as a home health provider for her aging family members.

Beyond her family and work, Elodia had a zest for life and a diverse range of interests. She was a true artist in the intricate work of crochet, she enjoyed solving word puzzles, and playing Bingo (Loteria). She also enjoyed the thrill of playing lottery scratch-offs and football pots. Elodia found great delight in seeing her family grow and attending the events of her children and grandchildren. She loved to travel, hunt down bargains at garage sales and thrift shops. She had a genuine love for nature and caring for animals- especially her pet dogs, cats, birds, horses and various farm animals. She found great joy and peace in gardening and cooking. Elodia was a classy, graceful, humble woman. She had a strong sense of faith in God. Elodia was always stylishly dressed in a coordinated and accessorized manner. She instilled in her family the importance and value of family traditions, strong work ethic, pursuing education, and putting family and God at the core.

Elodia A. Garza touched the lives of many through her genuine kindness, loyalty, and unwavering support and love. Her memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Visitation will be held Thursday, December 28, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. at Ric Brown Funeral Home, 621 E. Griffin Parkway in Mission with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated Friday, December 29, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Granjeno with burial to follow at Granjeno Cemetery.