Maria L. Garza

Maria (Mere) Lomas Garza, 93, a life long resident of Kingsville, Texas passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home on Friday, June 1, 2018. Maria was born June 9, 1924 in Kingsville, the oldest daughter of Antonio V. Lomas from Cerralvo, Mexico and Elisa Medina Lomas who was born on the King Ranch. She met the love of her life Mucio B. Garza from Kingsville and married him on her birthday in 1945. Survivors include one son, Mucio B. Garza Jr. of Corpus Christi, and three daughters, Carmen Lomas Garza (Jerry Carpenter) from San Francisco, CA, Margie Garza and Mary Jane Garza, both from Austin, Texas; two brothers, Pedro Lomas from Corpus Christi and Andres Lomas from Richmond, TX; eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Her husband Mucio, son Arturo, sister Luisa and brothers Tomas, Jose Antonio, Pablo, and Reynaldo preceded her in death. Maria graduated form H.M. King High School in 1945, after taking time off from school to work for the war effort sewing airplane wings at Corpus Christi Naval Air Station. After marriage Maria became involved in community service providing catechism classes for St. Martin’s Catholic Church, volunteering for the St. Martin’s Church Altar Society and a Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts Den Mother. In the 60’s and 70’s she was also a member and President of the local chapter of the American G.I. Forum Ladies Auxiliary. It was during her time with the G. I. Forum that she became involved in civil rights causes fighting school discrimination and raising funds for scholarships to send local Mexican American youth to college. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church; St. Joseph’s Crucillistas and the Guadalupanas Society. Being a creative person, Maria went to work in the early 1970’s at the Little Flower Shop on Lee St. After being employed there for several years she left the shop in 1980 and went to work at H.E.B. in Kingsville as a professional florist. As one of the early florist for the grocery chain, she trained other florists who went on to have careers at other H.E.B. stores throughout Texas. She stayed at H.E.B. for 20 years until her retirement in 1999. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 8 from 3:00 pm until 9pm with a rosary being recited at 7pm at Ramirez-Salinas Funeral Home, 230 E Ella Ave. in Kingsville. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, June 9 at 10:30 am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with Father Fernando Gamez officiating. Burial will follow at Santa Gertrudis Memorial Cemetery. Immediately after the burial a reception willbe held at St. Martin’s Hall at 500 E. Ella. Pallbearers are Roberto J. Garza, Manuel Longoria, Eric Garza, Victor Longoria, Christopher Rabe and Josue Lomas. Honorary Pallbearers are David M. Jackson, Scott Wilmot and Andrew Rodriguez Garza.

Maria L. Garza

June 9, 1924 - June 1, 2018