Noemi Cristina Garza

NOEMI CRISTINA GARZA, age 69, of Sugar Land, Texas, passed away Tuesday, August 13, 2013, at The Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. She was born April 15, 1944, in Mission, Texas, to Enrique and Hercilia Rivas Carrizales. Noemi began her teaching career in Wharton and El Campo. Later, Noemi continued a thirty- nine year career in the Fort Bend Independent School District, teaching second grade bilingual, at Blue Ridge Elementary, Teal Run Elementary, and Ridgegate Elementary. Everyone at her school’s admired how hard working she was. Whether it was sewing Christmas stockings for her students at Christmas, making costumes for school programs, creating posters for school events on her weekends, or learning new games, Noemi always focused on her students and their needs. A poignant example of this commitment occurred early in her career. There was one student who was held back several times because he was unable to read. No one previously had taught him how to read until Noemi had him in her classroom. She announced to the class that “everyone is going to help this student learn to read. We are family and must look after one another.” Later in life, he bumped into Noemi at a store. He asked her if she remembered him. She took a good look at him and recognized him. He told her that if it hadn’t been for her teaching him how to read, he would never have made it college. Whether it was her students or colleagues, Noemi was recognized as an outstanding teacher, who always put the needs of others before her own. She will be deeply missed by those who loved her, and by those whose lives she touched.

Noemi was preceded in death by her parents; and her siblings, Enrique Carrizales, II, Fausto Carrizales, Ada Carrizales Arocha, Alicia Carrizales, and Hector Carrizales.

Noemi married Ruben Garza and gave birth to Marisela Garza. She loved her daughter dearly. The remaining siblings of Noemi are: Raquel Alaniz, Enrique Carrizales, III, Sylvia Carrizales, and Manuela Carrizales; cousin, Wilma Chapa; and nieces and nephews, Michelle Alaniz, Dallas Ian, Cindy Maldonado, Raymond Alaniz, Jr., Dolores Wallace, Evalisa Wheatley, Enrique Carrizales, IV, and Joseph Vela.

A Memorial Celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, August 24, 2013, at The Settegast-Kopf Co. @ Sugar Creek, 15015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land (Williams Trace Exit), with the Rev. J. Craig Ashcraft, officiating.