Dora A. Garza

With deep love and gratitude for a life beautifully lived, the family of Dora A. Garza, age 97, of Corpus Christi, Texas, shares her peaceful passing on December 2, 2025. Dora was born in Hebbronville, Texas, on March 4, 1928, to Jose Cruz Alaniz and Alejandra H. Alaniz. Her beloved husband, Frank M. Garza, Jr and her parents welcomed her home in eternal rest.

Dora’s life was shaped by dedication, faith, and extraordinary warmth. After graduating from Western High School in Detroit in 1946, she married her devoted husband, Frank M. Garza Jr., on August 14, 1950, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Together they built a loving home filled with faith, tradition, and joy. Dora worked for the Civil Service Department of the U.S. Army until retiring in 1973, but her most treasured work was always caring for her family.

A woman of deep faith, Dora was a proud member of Saints Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church and the Schoenstatt Movement. Her hands were rarely still—always baking, cooking, sewing, or preparing something special for the people she loved. After retirement, she and Frank found joy in traveling, dancing together and embracing the simple blessings of life.

Dora is reunited in heaven with her parents; her beloved husband; her siblings, Tomasita A. Gonzalez, Mirta Barrera, Gloria A. Gonzalez, Maria Edna Castaneda, Cruz H. Alaniz, David H. Alaniz, and Diego Juan Alaniz; and her beloved grandson, Michael Matthew Garza.

She leaves behind a legacy of love in her children: Cynthia (Robert) Gonzalez, Yolanda Holguin, Frank Garza III, Velma Denton, and Michael (Monica) Garza. She will also be deeply missed by her 11 grandchildren, 6 great‐grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and her sister, Rosario Garcia. Her family will forever carry her gentle guidance, her quiet strength, and the warmth of her presence.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Coastal Palms Nursing & Rehab in Portland, Texas, and to Harbor Hospice staff—especially nurses Margaret Lerma and Christy Ramsey, chaplain Matthew, and a very special thank you to Esperanza Fernandez, and Rebecca Beltran—for the compassionate care they provided.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church: Works of Mercy, honoring Dora’s lifelong faith and generosity.

A viewing and visitation will be held at Memory Gardens Funeral Home, located at 8200 Old Brownsville Road, Corpus Christi, TX 78415, on December 10, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. A Holy Rosary will take place at the same venue on December 10, 2025, from 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

Continued visitation will occur on December 11, 2025, starting at 10:30 am at Memory Gardens Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow on December 11, 2025, at 12:00 pm at Memory Gardens Funeral Home & Cemetery, located at the same address.

The Rite of Committal and Interment will be held on December 11, 2025, at 1:00 pm at Memory Gardens Funeral Home & Cemetery, 8200 Old Brownsville Road, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78415, which will also be her final resting place.