Anita G. Cortez

Anita was born on July 12, 1930 to Hilario and Teodosa Gonzalez Garcia in Concepcion, Texas. She was the second eldest child to a family of 8 brothers, sisters and her parents. The family employed as migrant workers, travelled from Texas to Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma, and throughout all of Texas. She attended Premont High School and left in her senior year to work where her family needed her.

After the family settled down in Cruz Calle, Texas, Anita took a job in Falfurrias Texas at the Dairy King and lived with her Aunt and Uncle, The Rosas. She also helped her family with the needs of the farm and helped her parents to upgrade their home. She would go to dances and family get-togethers with her cousins and sisters. In 1958, she met Antonio P. Cortez, and they wed in December 1963 in a 6 A.M. wedding ceremony and reception in what she said was the coldest day of the year. Mom used to tell us, “there are not cold days today like there were back then.” Surprise Mom, here we are in a winter storm with temperatures in the teens and twenties. Mom and Dad went on to have 3 daughters: Melissa Cortez Perez, Melinda Quinonez (Isaac), and Marla Garcia (Lorenzo).

Anita was a force of nature, determined to help her spouse provide for their family and give them the life they felt they deserved. Family meant more to her than anything else in the world, something she often mentioned. Our mother, Anita, was one of the strongest, most courageous, bravest, kindest, God-fearing, faithful women to ever walk this earth. Our family was blessed to have her as the mother of the family. She was a wonderful and loving mother who gave her all to her family. We will never be able to fill the space left behind by her. She taught us to pray, to have faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ, to always help those you can, and to give All the Glory and Thanksgiving to God. As humans, we ask why but in our TRUST IN GOD, WE WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT.

Mom loved this life immensely and loved to create beautiful things with her hands; she was a quilter---each of the children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren have their own quilt, a seamstress for each of us and many others, she crocheted doilies, shawls, and afghan blankets---we each have one of our own made by her but there are others she also made for their home, she embroidered and took us girls with her to the ladies club; also to the ceramic class. She made the best dressing, tamales, and pan de polvo; her recipes are in the hands of those that will continue her legacy with love and pride. She was blessed with a milestone in this life---SHE LIVED TO BE 90 and ½ years and has pictures of her birthday parade where she gave us the biggest smiles ever. May we all have her faith and our own strong relationship with Jesus Christ!

Anita was predeceased by the love of her life, Antonio P. Cortez, her beloved parents, her dear in-laws, two beautiful sisters and a handsome brother, also loving nieces and nephews. She is survived by 3 daughters: Melissa Cortez Perez, Melinda Quinonez (Isaac), and Marla Garcia (Lorenzo), 5 grandchildren: Abby Alaniz (Randy), Jeremy Perez (Lianna), Justin Quinonez (Kelsey), Karlee Welch (Jasterrius), and Marcos Garcia, 3 great-grandchildren: Zaylah Perez, Noah Perez, and Karson Welch. Anita is also survived by 2 brothers: Conrado Garcia (Elisa), Hilario Garcia (Elicia), 1 sister: Beatriz Leal, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She had friends of her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that lovingly called her grandma. Mom will be dearly missed by all whose lives she touched. Fly High Our Sweet Angel!

The Pallbearers are: Jeremy Perez, Justin Quinonez, Marcos Garcia, Randy Alaniz, Lorenzo Garcia, and Ricardo Leal. Honorary Pallbearers are: Abby Alaniz, Karlee Welch, Zaylah Perez, Noah Perez, and Jasterrius and Karson Welch.

Funeral arrangements will be managed by Memory Gardens Funeral Home and Cemetery.

The funeral will be live streamed @ memorygardensfuneralhome.com

Service times are as follows: 08:30 - Family Visitation

09:00 - Public Visitation

09:30 - Rosary

10:00 - Catholic Mass

11:00 - Internment