Otilia Garza

Otilia Garza, Tillie to her friends, went home to be with the Lord on August 1st, 2022, surrounded by friends and family. She had battled Parkinson’s and several other health conditions for several years. She is survived by her husband Octavio (Tavo), her six children, two sons-in-law, two daughters-in-law, and ten grandchildren. Our family would like to thank everyone for their kindness and support during this time when we say goodbye to our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.

Tillie was born in 1932 in Weslaco, Texas. She came from a family with an artistic background and was the first in her family to go to college. She earned a bachelor’s degree, majoring in physical education with a minor in dance. But while she was offered opportunities to dance professionally after graduation she had already met the man of her dreams and so, turned down the dancer’s life to become a wife and mother.

Tillie then channeled her creativity and enthusiasm into her family life. She did teach, at times, in the public schools, and community schools. She also worked part-time for a radio station as a copywriter and announcer. She became active in local community theater and in the Parent-Teacher Association. She volunteered to teach a dance camp for the Girl Scouts one summer. And she did all this while raising six active children!

She loved being a mother. She nurtured a love for reading and the arts, especially good music, in her children and encouraged productive activities, like scouts, piano lessons, sports teams, dance lessons, etc. She was a great encourager and cheerleader for her children. But more than that, she set high standards. She expected her children to excel and raised them to believe good effort would always be rewarded.

But her life changed dramatically in her forties when she had a personal encounter with Christ. Mom committed herself to following Christ in a personal relationship with Him and her life was never the same. Just like people clean out their house and all their closets, room by room, when they decide to make a big change, Tillie did that with her life, discarding things in her lifestyle that she didn’t think would please the Lord and pursuing only those things that she believed would help her grow as a Christian.

This led to her becoming active in the women’s ministry, Women’s Aglow. Eventually, she would serve as a leader and go on to help establish chapters in Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. She was also active in her church in the prayer counseling ministry, and with her husband, helped teach courses on biblical finance, marriage, and other bible studies, and later the seniors ministry.

In the last few years, Tillie was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and several health conditions that kept her home. However, she continued to stay in touch with friends and family and pray for people and encourage them. She was always willing to listen and always had encouraging words for them.

Tillie had a compassionate heart. She had a gift for hospitality and for mentoring women into leadership. She had a personality that made you feel comfortable and part of the family. She had a joyfulness about life that enabled her to make anything and everything into a celebration. But most of all, she loved her Lord and her husband and family with a devotion that will never be forgotten. That love has left an indelible mark on all of us who loved her, and we are all better for it.

A celebration of Tillie’s life will be held on Thursday, August 18,2022, beginning at 11 a.m. at Real Life Church, 23845 Tomball Parkway, Tomball, TX, 77375.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AmericanHeritageFuneralHome.com for the Garza family.