Socorro Garza Gonzalez

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved matriarch ‘Mamos’ Socorro Garza Gonzalez on June 18, 2023 in San Antonio, while surrounded by four generations of her loving family as they prayed for her in her time of need. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and tía.

Socorro was known to be fiercely independent, kind, and compassionate. She leaves her sons, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to pass down this legacy for future generations. Mom, or Mamos, as her grandchildren and great grandchildren would affectionately call her, had the biggest heart and a beautiful soul. When she loved you, it was genuine.

Socorro was born to Eulalio Garza Garza and Irene Gonzalez Montalvo on June 1, 1928, in Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.Socorro was a teacher in Mexico when she met and married Gerardo (Jerry), a handsome young, World War II combat veteran. Together they moved to San Antonio where they purchased their home on Pine St. and opened a small bodega that she managed. There she raised their four young sons and used her skills as an educator to use the store to teach them lessons that would carry them throughout their lives that they would instill in their own children and grandchildren in the years to come. Years later they sold their small family store and moved to their dream home on Quill Dr. in the Donaldson Terrace Neighborhood. As was common for the Greatest Generation, Socorro stayed home to raise her four boys, as well as many of her grandchildren.

Always stylish and impeccably dressed, Mamos loved her family and friends. No matter where she was going, her outfit was carefully selected down to the accessories and her hair style. In the twilight of her life, Socorro was an active member and service leader of the Bob Ross Community Center where she coordinated events such as dances, rummage sales, bunco and bingo tournaments as well as becoming a print model for the City of San Antonio Senior Citizens Community programs brochures, television, and social media campaigns. She loved the time and many friends she made here, and considered their coordinator, Donna, to be a part of her family.

Socorro had a deep faith in God which led her to take trips to Jerusalem and The Vatican City with her sister-in-law, Marí as well as volunteering with the Catholic Charities group of Holy Rosary and Holy Family. In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening, hummingbirds, cooking, baking, crocheting, sewing, dominoes, bunco, dancing, traveling the world and spending time with all her family. Mamos may not have known how to drive, but that didn't mean she didn't know where she was going! Mamos knew all the roads and shortcuts; she was the best co-pilot anyone could have asked for.

Socorro had the biggest heart full of love for those around her. The infectious smile across her face will be missed dearly by everyone who knew her.

Mamos is a bright light, whose guidance will continue to illuminate our journey in life as she has crossed over to be with the Lord to rejoin her beloved husband Jerry, her son Richard, Sr., and grandson Eddie Jr.

Socorro is dancing with Jerry now in her green sequenced ballgown and fancy high heels, looking as glamorous as ever with a big smile on her face and laughter abound.

She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 50 years Gerardo O. Gonzalez Sr.; son Ricardo G. Gonzalez; Sr., grandson Edwardo L. Gonzalez Jr.; along with her siblings, Elida Rivera, Efrain Garza, Isaura Renteria, Leonel Garza, and Rosario Garza.Mamos is survived by her sons Gerardo “Jerry” G. Gonzalez Jr. and his wife Norma; Edwardo G. Gonzalez Sr.; and Dr. Abelardo G. Gonzalez and his wife Heather.

Grandchildren, Veronica Rivera and her husband Mario; Daniel G. Gonzalez and his wife Monica; Elizabeth Granado and her husband Estevan; Ricardo Gonzalez Jr.; Angelina Urista and her husband Ruben Jr.; Elaine Gonzalez; Alexander Gonzalez; and Cecilia Gonzalez; and step granddaughter, Monica Quiroga.

Great grandchildren: Emilia, Vivienne, and Katherine Rivera; Trinity and Lucas Gonzalez; Jacob, Matthew, and Nathan Granado; Caleb and Brendan Gonzalez; Edwardo Gonzalez III; Adalina Urista; and step greatgrandson Judel Aldana.

Socorro is also survived by her sister Hilda Solis; dear sister in law (María Peña De los Santos) Marí Garza; along with many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

The family invites friends for visitation on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 from 6:00pm-7:00pm at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough Ave., with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m.

FUNERAL MASSWEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 20239:30 A.M.ST. LUKE CATHOLIC CHURCH4603 MANITOU DRIVE

Socorro will be laid to rest in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with her dear husband, Jerry.

Pallbearers will be Jerry Gonzalez, Jr., Eddie Gonzalez, Sr., Dr. Abel Gonzalez, Daniel Gonzalez, Alex Gonzalez, Edwardo Gonzalez, III, and Ruben Urista.

To watch the livestreaming of her Mass, please click here.