Yolanda “Yoli” Garza Mercado was called home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at the age of 72. She was born in Corpus Christi, TX on April 26, 1948, but lived her life in Houston, TX. She was preceded in death by her parents, Isidro & Juana Garza, her brothers Isidro Jr, Filo, George, Lionel, and Balde, her sisters Lydia G., Marieita, Paula, and Lydia Z.
Yolanda was raised on a small ranch on the outskirts of Corpus Christi. She grew up working hard with all her siblings at the “rancho” starting at 5 years old. Her experiences working at the rancho instilled a hard work ethic and laid the foundation of her strength that she carried throughout her life. She got married and moved in the 60’s. She was no longer a small town farm girl but now a city gal, calling Houston home. Yoli was a devoted stay at home mother of 3 for many years before making a career as a printer at a court reporting firm. She held many titles that she was proud of Mom, Grandma, Wella, and sister just to name a few, but she will always be remembered by the love she showed everyone who was blessed to know her. Birthday parties, school events and family get-togethers were her favorite things to do along with going shopping with Bonnie or her sisters. As the matriarch, she was the rock, the guiding light, and her legacy will live through her family, forever. She held everyone close to her heart, her love was infectious, she was as genuine as they come and always wore her heart on her sleeve. Yoli’s life was a direct reflection of her passion for the gospel and her unmeasurable love for God. Her kind, forgiving, nurturing and courageous spirit was deeply rooted in her faith and it was evident by all she encountered.
Yoli was an angel walking amongst us who got called back home.
She is survived by her husband Martin Mercado, her daughter Yvonne “Bonnie” and her husband Johnny Gonzalez, her son Eugene “Gene” and his wife Cindy Barrientos, and her son Cal “Gordo” Barrientos. Her grandkids Bert (Yvette), John Robert, Christopher (Stephany), Lexi, Alyssa, Kasandra, Aiden, Caleb, and Jacob also great-grandchild Ethan. As well as her sisters Maria; Susana & (Adan); Victoria & (Romualdo); Hermila & (Danny); Sally & (Norberto); Elva & (Carlos); Zulema & (Pete) & Brothers Gilbert & Oscar.
Visitation for Yolanda will be held Friday, November 20, 2020 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77039. A Rosary will be recited from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Funeral Service will occur Saturday, November 21, 2020 from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM. The burial will follow from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM at Brookside Memorial Park.
The family has requested due to the safety with the current pandemic, that any children under the age 10 not attend. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brooksidefuneralhomelauder.com for the Garza family.
To everything there is a season and
a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born and a time to die,
A time to plant and
a time to pluck up that which is planted,
A time to kill and a time to heal,
A time to break down and a time to build up,
A time to weep and a time to laugh,
A time to mourn and a time to dance,
A time to cast away stones and
a time to gather stones together,
A time to embrace and
a time to refrain from embracing,
A time to get and a time to lose,
A time to keep and a time to cast away,
A time to rend and a time to sew,
A time to keep silent and a time to speak,
A time to love and a time to hate,
A time of war and a time of peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
PALLBEARERS
Bert Chavarria
John Robert Gonzales
Christopher James Garza
Joel Zárate
Jesse Puebla
George Herrera
Aiden Barrientos
Ethan Chavarria
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