Maria L. Garza Obituary
Maria L. Garza
MISSION – Maria L. “Lula” Garza, 72, was a loving wife, sister, friend, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones on Saturday morning,July 10, 2021.
Lula as everyone called her, was born and raised in Mission. She attended Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School and graduated from Mission High Class in the Class of 1968. Lula was employed with Mission C.I.S.D. for 31 years. Throughout those years she worked at Bryan Elementary and then transferred to Mims Elementary, where she retired.
Lula was a woman of kind spirits and enjoyed helping out the community. As a mother, she dedicated her time to her children and was involved in many of their activities. She was a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts and was part of the Catholic Daughters of America. She volunteered several years at St. Paul’s Catholic Church and taught CCD to her children and grandchildren – something she took pride in. Later in life, she loved organizing food drives to deliver during the Thanksgiving holidays. Throughout her life, Lula spent her off time in the summer traveling across the country with members of the Catholic War Veterans to attend conferences with her husband and friends. Her favorite things in life were family and God. She always made sure to host holiday gatherings in her household, and made sure we always started with a prayer of gratitude and thanks.
Lula is preceded in death by her parents, Antonio and Antonia Martinez.
She is survived by her loving husband, Roberto Garza; three children, Robert Garza, Krista Escamilla (Humberto Escamilla) and Corynna Garza; five grandchildren, Rhianna Renolla (Elvis Renolla), Lauren Lopez, Larissa Lopez, Anthony Garza, and Ryan Garza; and two great-grandchildren, Ysabella Garza Martinez and Ellis Renolla; her loving dog, Austin Garza; siblings, Juanita Martinez, Antonio Martinez Jr. (Tony), Carmen Cavazos (Ralph), Jose Israel (Sylvia) and Gregorio Martinez (Blanca); and several nieces and nephews.
Although Lula will be forever missed, she leaves behind a legacy that no one can ever replace. She touched so many lives near and far, young and old. She always found the good in people and prayed over those in need. Lula was a selfless woman and went above and beyond to help others. She will be greatly missed by many.
Lula went by many names, but the name she loved to be called the most was Nana. From the moment she became a grandmother, she dedicated her time to her grandchildren. She always said “I will do whatever I can for my grandbabies,” and she kept that promise. Nana, we love you and miss you, always and forever.
Visitation and a Rosary were held on Thursday, July 15. The funeral Mass was held on Friday, July 16, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. The interment of ashes was held on Thursday, July 22, at Rio Grande Valley Veterans Cemetery. Ric Brown Family Funeral Home in Mission handled the arrangements.