Margaret Garza

Margaret Rodriguez Garza beloved mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, family member and friend passed away peacefully to be with her Heavenly Father on May 5, 2016 in Kingsville, Texas. She passed away due to complications from pneumonia at home.

Friends and family members remember Margaret as the sweetest, kindness, loving, caring and generous person who was always there for them. An affectionate person, she shared many hugs with family and friends and positively touched the lives of the younger generation who loved her very much. She followed the good Lord's message: "Love one another as I have loved you and "Do unto others as I have done." She loved everyone unconditionally. Margaret served as a role model to her children, grandchildren and young family members by example demonstrating the work ethic values, good manners, and honesty. She also encouraged them to obtain a good education.

Margaret was born to Benito Rodriguez and Maria Calles Rodriguez in Acambaro, Guanajuato, Mexico, on February 17, 1920. Her parents were prosperous business people who owned a bakery. It was there that Margaret and her siblings learned the work ethic. As a child she helped her parents work at the bakery delivering bread, and pan dulce to the community stores. Her work ethic continued throughout her life.

As a young lady, her beauty and personality attracted the attention of a young man, "Pepe", a government business accountant from Zaragoza, Coahuilla, Mexico who was working in Acambaro. They fell in love and married soon. Eventually, they moved to Texas City so her husband, Jose, "Pepe" M. Garza Jr. and family could join his father and other family members. His father, Jose M. Garza. an early pioneer of Texas City, wanted all his children living near him.

Margaret was a real asset and helpmate to her husband, as well as, a constant companion all their married lives. She physically helped him build a large house in West End, maintained a vegetable garden, and cleaned and cooked the fish he caught at the Texas City dike. Margaret enjoyed cooking healthy food for her husband and three children. She made baked barbecue chicken, rice and pinto beans along with hand rolled flour tortillas which was the family's favorite dish. An accomplished seamstress, she often sewed for people.

Wanting to help the family out more financially, she sought employment outside the home. She started working as a substitute cafeteria worker for the Texas City Independent School and eventually accepted the opportunity to work full time. She often said she was proud of her job because she cleaned 12 rooms. She also told her daughter many times "When I started working at the schools, a whole new world opened for me." Even though she worked full time, Margaret always prepared meals for her family before going to work.

Margaret was generous with her earned salary sharing her funds with her parents in Mexico and many others. She helped family members financially when they asked her to do so. Margaret also knew how to save money. She also learned to speak and write English. Margaret worked for the TCISD school district for 27 years. After retirement, she and her husband continued to help out with church activities and also did volunteer work helping the needy.

Margaret and her husband really enjoyed being involved with the Garza family celebrations, always attending baptisms, birthday parties, graduation ceremonies, and other special events. Margaret always gave holiday and special occasion gifts. A petite lady, she liked to dress up for family gatherings and church events accenting her outfits with jewelry. Margaret, a devout Catholic, was a member of St. Mary's Church over 60 years. She and her husband faithfully attended mass. Margaret served as a Eucharistic minister, and was a member of the Altar Society and made lifetime friends with her church family. Margaret and her husband enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S., Mexico, Italy. Their most memorable trip was visiting Jerusalem with their church friends in 1985.

She lived with her daughter, Gloria and son-in-law Johnny Cantu in Kingsville for the past six years. However, her daughter often brought her to Texas City where they stayed at her house for several weeks at a time so she could visit family and friends. She also liked to go to Coushatta and her daughter often took her there where they played the slot machines for hours. As an older person, Margaret still had a hearty appetite and her daughter often catered to her wishes by fixing her favorite chicken enchiladas and ordering barbecue chicken wings for home delivery. She remained healthy most of her life not taking any medications until the last three months of her life.

Margaret is preceded in death by her husband, Joe Garza Jr. grandson, Joseph Gavin Bigger, all of her siblings and many other loved family members. She is survived by her daughter, Gloria G.B. Cantu, and husband, Johnny Cantu of Kingsville: sons Richard Garza and wife Josette of the Woodlands; Ruben Garza of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and numerous grandchildren. She is also survived by her three sisters-in-law, Ernestine Moreno, Eustolia, "Tola," Garza and Hilda Garza of Texas City.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Marcel Garza, Gabriel Bigger, Timothy Garza and nephews Dwayne Moreno, Steve Garza and P.J. Garza.

Honorary members will be nephews Carlos Garza, James Garza and Abel Garza Jr.

Service will be held 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at St. Mary's of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church in Texas City. Burial will follow at Galveston Memorial Park. Visitation will be 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 10, 2016 with a rosary to follow at Emken-Linton Funeral Home in Texas City, Texas.

Visitation

EmkenLinton Funeral Home
5100 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway
Texas City, TX  77592
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Rosary

EmkenLinton Funeral Home
5100 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway
Texas City, TX  77592
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
7:00 p.m.

Service

St. Marys of the Miraculous Medal
1604 9th Ave. North
Texas City, TX  77590
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Galveston Memorial Park
7301 Memorial Drive
Hitchcock, TX  77563