Maria Zita Narvaez Garcia

Sinton – Maria Zita Narvaez Garcia, 89, of Sinton, Texas passed away on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 2:04 PM after a very short illness. She passed in Portland, Texas surrounded by her family.

Maria actually died on the date that, 21 years ago, she buried her husband of 44 years, Leonardo Salinas Garcia. The family believes their Dad met her at the gates of heaven. For some marriages, a lifetime together just isn’t enough! They were married on June 28, 1953.

Maria was born on April 27, 1929 in Buda, Texas to Sostenes and Manuela Narvaez. She was one of nine children. Her siblings have all preceded Maria in death. They include, on the Narvaez side, Graciela, Juanita, Longina, Jose, Bruno, Abelino, Nieves, Marcos, Alvaro and Jacinto; her brothers and sisters-in-law: Leonardo was the youngest of 15 children to include, on the Garcia side, Lupe, Jesusa, Petra, Alicia, Julia, Francisca, Santos, Adan, Otaviano, Martin, Vicente, Trinidad, Pedro and Benito.

Maria was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She was a housewife and always busy – cleaning, washing, ironing and cooking. She had no time to be tired. She was an excellent cook: homemade tortillas, beans, rice...she could cook anything you wanted. Most especially, she made the best sweet tea! Maria beamed when her grandchildren came to visit, especially the two youngest great-grandchildren. She was always ready to make their favorite bean and cheese taquitos. (Sometimes it was SPAM taquitos.) Maria will be greatly missed as she was greatly loved.

Maria was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and was devoted to Our Lady. She had great faith in God with a history of Catholic traditions in her family.

Thursday, at 2:04 PM, the angels came for her. Luke (her soon to be 2 year old great-grandson) burst out laughing, all on his own. The family believes it was his "Momo" saying goodbye!

Maria is survived by her daughter: Esmeralda Garcia; sons: Ernesto Garcia (Herlinda); Eloy Garcia (Berta); Geraldo “Jerry” Garcia and Ismael “Smiley” Garcia, all of Sinton, Texas; Lee Garcia (Gracie) of Houston, Texas; her grandchildren: Cassandra Doria (Gilbert "DD"); Omar Garcia (Katrina); Monica Garcia; Serena Garcia (fiancée Devin Carranza), all of Sinton, Texas; Leelianna Garcia of Houston, Texas; her great-grandchildren: Christian Doria, Evan Garza, Austin Garcia and Luke Garcia, all of Sinton, Texas; sister-in-law: Ofelia Narvaez of San Antonio, Texas; and many nieces, nephews and extended family members whom she loved dearly.

The public visitation will begin Monday, January 21, 2019, 1:00 PM at Resthaven Funeral Home Chapel in Sinton. A Holy Rosary will be recited the same evening, 7:00 PM at the funeral home. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, January 22, 2019, 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Sinton with Father Glen Mullan as celebrant. Burial will follow in Eternal Rest Cemetery, Sinton.

Pallbearers are Omar Garcia, Gilbert “DD” Doria, Christian Doria, Ricky Contreras, Vicente Garcia III, James Garcia, Gabriel Moreno and Devin Carranza. Honorary pallbearers are Ruben Ramirez, Evan Garcia, Austin Garcia and Luke Garcia.

The family of Maria Zita Narvaez Garcia would like to extend special thanks to Sinton EMS, Northshore Emergency Center in Portland, Texas and the Resthaven Funeral Home staff for the loving care shown to our beloved Maria.

Guestbook available online at www.resthavenfunerals.com

Arrangements and care entrusted to Resthaven Funeral Home, Sinton.

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