Sofia V. Garcia, 91, of Corpus Christi, was called by the Lord to Heaven on January 13, 2020. She was born September 18, 1928, in Realitos Texas to Jesus and Teresa Villarreal. She grew up in Realitos, Texas with five sisters and two brothers. The family would travel north to harvest crops in Ohio. In 1945 with her little brother she moved to Corpus Christi and lived with her big sister who had married and was living in Corpus Christi . She worked at Woolworth’s in downtown Corpus Christi. It was there through her future sister-in-laws, Emma and Rene Garcia, that she met and married the love of her life Carlos (Chale) M. Garcia.
Sofia is preceded in death by her husband Carlos M. Garcia of 64 years and her parents, Jesus and Teresa Villarreal. She is also preceded by her sisters Frances Pantoja, Lupe Barraza, Olga Garcia, Consuelo (Connie) Escobedo and her two brothers, Alonzo Villarreal and Jesus Villarreal. She is survived by all her nine adult children, 21 grand children and 21 great grandkids and her sister Emilia Maldonado.
She always believed that we should be fair and truthful in all matters and strived to instill those lessons in all of us. She also taught us to be respectful and courteous to all. She always believed in family. They made every effort to instill in their children the desire to give 100% every time. Together with Chale, she raised nine children. The oldest, Carlos M. (Mary) Garcia Jr., followed in his father’s footsteps and became a truck driver. He retired as a Truck driver and went to work for the U. S. Post office. The second son, Fernando (Lydia) Garcia served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Viet Nam. He then continued on with a long career as civil servant at CCAD and finally retired as defense contractor. Sofia’s oldest daughter, Janie Garcia Gonzales, had 28 years of financial service career and retired from Bank of America. Sofia’s third son, Jesse V. Garcia joined the U.S. Air Force and also served in Viet Nam. He then joined the Corpus Christi Police Department and came up through the ranks to finally retire after 40 years as Assistant Police Chief. Her second daughter, Yolanda Garcia (Ronnie) Olivarez, served and retired as a Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo. Yolanda served her community and country on several board and commissions. She was elected to be the First Hispanic Chairman of the Port of Corpus Christi. She also was appointed by President Obama to the position of Regional Administrator for Region VI, for the Small Business Administration. Her fourth son, Luis Garcia, became a police officer for the city Houston. He worked his way up and rose to the rank of Detective. Sofia’s fifth son, Daniel (Irma) Garcia, also became a police officer after graduating from Sam Houston State University. He was a police officer for the city of Dallas. He rose to the rank of Assistant Police Chief. He then accepted a position as Police Chief for the city of Phoenix, Arizona. Her third daughter Norma Garcia Pereida (Ruben) earned a a degree from UT at Austin in Social Work and then went on to get her Master’s degree from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. Norma has worked 35 years in Medical Social Work and is currently working as LCSW social worker for the Dallas Independent School District. The youngest son, Ruben Garcia, also became a police officer for the city of Corpus Christi. He too, rose through the ranks to become a detective. He retired from Corpus Christi Police Department and became Sheriff’s Deputy with San Patricio County.
Sofia and Chale’s lives were dedicated to the success of their children. Their accomplishments exemplify the values and purpose of lives well lived.
A Rosary Mass will be held on Thursday, January 16, at 7:00 pm for Sofia V. Garcia at Memory Gardens Funeral Home 8200 Old Brownsville Road. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, January 17 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at 3350 S. Alameda St. Corpus Christi. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-60111.
