Virginia C. García López

Known to her friends and loved ones as Virgie, she was born in San Antonio, TX to Librada Mendoza and Diego Garcia as the youngest of six siblings. Virginia lost both her parents by an early age and was blessed to have a second Momma, her maternal aunt, Rita Canales, whom she cherished and would become Buelita to Virginia’s children. After academic achievement at Fox Tech High School, Virginia became the first of her family to attend college, earning a degree in nursing from Trinity University. She worked as a Registered Nurse in and around San Antonio for more than 45 years.

In 1956, as a new nurse at Baptist Medical Center, she met Alfonso Nicolás López, M.D., who later divulged that he had “met his destiny”. Alfonso and Virginia were married for thirteen years and raised eight children: Virginia Cruz, Alfonso Nicolás, Jr., Sylvia Iris, Adrian Ruben, Victor David, Marco Antonio, Edward John, and Carlos Daniel.

Virginia was a big dreamer. She often waxed poetic about one day owning lots of property with magnificent views and thriving off the land. She had an independent achiever’s spirit, which emerged in various sales and business ventures over the years. In the early 1980s, she purchased 50 wooded acres near Seguin. Although she never mustered the wherewithal to develop that land, it still served as an important example of what she always taught was possible, and how close our dreams often are within our reach.

Virginia was a big survivor. Raising eight kids as a single mom on a hard-earned budget is no small feat. She endured many hardships, from her children facing mortal danger, to her back problems that grew more debilitating through the second half of her life, and the financial challenges that went along with being a single homeowner and working mother. But Virginia never lost her positive spirit -- built as it was upon the confidence of deep prayer and the replenishment of endless faith. She lived her life with an endurance that has beautifully modeled resourcefulness and the Christian way.

Most of all, Virginia just loved being a mother. As a mother, she loved tenderly and parented firmly and with humor. Her home was filled with a rotation of pot roast, chili con carne, arroz con pollo, beans, and homemade tortillas, biscuits and pancakes. Virginia was adventurous, frequently whisking all eight children away to Blanco State Park, the coast, or a good swimming hole. She'd walk her kids to the pool at the San Pedro Springs Park. A favorite summer outing was to the San Pedro Branch library where each got the privilege of choosing two books. She worked tirelessly to ensure that all eight of her children attended Catholic schools, from kindergarten all the way through high school. By example and with humor, she taught her children each to be a special individual. Second only to her children, Virginia loved her many dogs and cats over the years.

“Don’t forget your prayers,” Virgie used to say. She loved Jesus and would sit and talk about the Eucharist with any pair of willing ears, always in a kind and humorous manner. Her quick wit and playful manner livened up even the tiniest conversation. Many will remember her for her endearing spirit, sense of humor and smile that captured the hearts of so many family, friends and caregivers. Virginia would want anyone reading this to take a moment, find a quiet space to be with our Lord, give thanks, and just pray. It doesn’t matter what you pray, she would say. Just pray. This was her way of encouraging all of us to have a personal relationship with Jesus. It worked!

Virginia is survived by her eight children, two daughters-in-law, a son-in-law, eleven grandchildren, six great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Diego Garcia, Hortencia Valdez, Lilly Villanueva, Bobby Garcia, and Margaret Miranda.

Visitation for Virginia will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 5:00 pm with a rosary at 7:00 pm at Funeraria Del Angel Roy Akers, 515 N. Main Ave., San Antonio, TX 78205. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 700 Dewhurst Rd., San Antonio, TX 78213. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 17501 Nacogdoches Rd., San Antonio, TX 78266.

Her children are deeply grateful for the care provided in Virginia’s later years by the aides, nurses, social workers, and chaplain at Klarus Hospice as well as the many aides secured by the family. We are particularly grateful for the constant loving companionship and care provided by our brothers, Marco and Adrian López, and our sister, Sylvia López Gaona.