Irma L. Garcia

Irma L. Garcia died peacefully, surrounded by three generations of family and friends. She leaves behind a legacy of love of family and friends and service to the community.

Maria Irma Longoria was born at Rancho Santa Rita, just west of Rachel, Texas, on July 17, 1927. It was at the ranch that she was baptized, went to the catholic school; taking-on the chores of ranch life, eventually graduating from Falfurrias High School, and attending Texas State Teachers College in San Marcos, Texas.

She returned home to work at the Brooks County Courthouse with her mentor, Calixtro Mora. It was at a funeral that her future husband, Baltazar Garcia, spotted her and was soon calling the courthouse to locate her and ask her out. Baltazar and Irma married on May 20, 1951, at Rancho Santa Rita and headed to Monterrey, Mexico, for their honeymoon. Starting their married/working lives in Falfurrias, they eventually settled in Weslaco and lived there the rest of their lives. Seven children were born to them, and it was a full-time job tending to the kids, their school, sports, music, and church activities. The Garcia house was “the” neighborhood house, where kids gathered for football and baseball games, wrestling matches, tea parties, and playing house.

Irma enjoyed trips to Las Vegas, eating out with friends at Fiesta Tex-Mex, Keno Cafe, and The Blue Onion, hosting tamaladas in her kitchen, being the neighborhood watchdog, and serving as a substitute mom for countless family and friends.

Irma believed in giving back to her community. She volunteered her time at The Community Store, St. Pius X Parish Council, St. Pius X Collection Committee, St. Pius X  Social Work, St. Pius X Food Pantry, Den Mother for St. Pius X Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and Brownies, WHS Band Boosters, Weslaco March of Dimes, Weslaco Tower Theater. as well as local, county, and state elections chair.

She was preceded in death by her husband - Baltazar Garcia; her parents - Eugenio and Ana T. Longoria; her brothers - Leonel (Rosenda), Raul (Zoila), Ponciano (Maria), Oscar (Otila), and Osvaldo (Anita); her sisters - Odilia, Estela Jones (Harold). 

Continuing her legacy of love, family, and service are her sons - Xavier (Irma), Hector, and Jose (Irma); her daughters - Anna Villarico(Santos), Ninfa Gonzalez (Paulino), Irene, and Nelda Nelda Chavez (Ernesto). Also surviving are her adored grandchildren - David (Lisa), Laura (Ryan), Anthony, Veronica Branthoover (Jason), Santy, Daniel, Clarisa, Victoria McFarland (Richard), Judy de la Rosa (Jonathan), Javier (Trina), Aaron (Claire), Alyssa Muñoz (Danny) and Sarah. Great-grandchildren: Ashley, Michael, Lainey, Galilea, Penelope, Stella, Annalee, Murphy, Kieran, J.D., Brandon, Jake, and Maisey. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Much love to Mom’s inner circle: Ernestina Rodriguez, Willemina Kopecky, Mary Reyna, Andy Esquivel, Laura Gracia, Grace Pedraza, Rolando Garcia, Liz Garcia, Homero Garcia, Raúl and Minerva Longoria, Annie Broadwater, Michael and Ana Broadwater, Edna Olivarez, Norma Linda Leal, Maria Gonzalez and Cecilia Garza.

Special thanks to the Jose Perez family and staff of Fiesta Tex-Mex restaurant, who made mom feel like a queen each and every time we visited. Jose and Cristina Perez, Ivan Perez, Carlos Perez, Veronica Cervantes, and Alexis Cervantes.