Dafena L. Leyba

She was born in Alice, Texas on November 2, 1914 to Don Liborio and Francisca ( better known as Dona Panchita) Longoria, a South Texas pioneering family.

Mrs. Leyba for years taught in many area one room country school houses while raising her family and earning her college degree.

She graduated from Texas A&I in Kingsville, Texas when her oldest daughter was in her junior year there and her youngest was in her freshmen year.

Mrs. Leyba taught in Robstown, Alice and Corpus Christi schools. She retired from West Oso School District to care for our dad who was very ill.

The last five years she lived at the Harbor Place Retirement Community. Our family wishes to thank the staff and residents for the wonderful attention they gave our mother.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Pedro Garcia Leyba and her only son, P.L. Leyba.

Mrs Leyba is survived by her daughters, Perla (Robert Leal) and Sally (Beto) Escobar both of Corpus Christi, Texas; her grandchildren, Michael Leal of Goliad, Texas, Kim (Michael) Carrizo of Orange County, California, Beto , III (Laura) Escobar of San Antonio, Texas and Monica (Scott Ellison) of Corpus Christi, Texas. Also surviving are her sisters, Dalia Longoria Torres Wilson of Corpus Christi, Texas and Delmira Longoria Gonzales of San Diego, California; and six great-grandchildren.

Public visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at Funeraria Del Angel-Memorial Holly chapel with a holy rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. that evening. Rites of a Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 18, 2010 at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Collins Cemetery in Alice, Texas.

Please visit www. mem.com to offer condolences and sign guest book.