Josefina Garcia Esparza

Josefina Garcia Esparza, age 86 of Houston, Texas went to be with the lord on January 31, 2020. Josefina G. Esparza was born in San Juan de los Lagos, Jalisco, Mexico on May 4, 1933. The daughter of immigrants, Heraclio Garcia and Maria Anna Hernandez. Josefina was the youngest of eleven children. At 2 weeks of age, Josefina was brought over from Mexico to reside with the rest of the family in McAllen, Texas.

During her school days she enjoyed her favorite subject Math and she loved sports, playing softball and volleyball. Josefina attended high school, however dropped out to marry at a young age of 17 years old. Her spouse was 24 years old. She married Ernest Vera Esparza on Feb 17, 1952, after a 2-year engagement. During her engagement, she worked at a jewelry store in downtown McAllen. Although she was a devout Catholic and he a Pentecostal, they decided to marry in a Methodist church in McAllen, TX. She resided with his family in San Antonio, TX as newlyweds until finally establishing residency in Houston, TX, 2 years later.

Josefina obtained her Citizenship at the age of 35, in January 1968 along with both her parents. She obtained her High School Basic Education Certificate from HCC Austin Campus in 1994 at the age of 61. She is a life-long Houston resident, housewife, mother of 4 children and property manager in Houston, TX. She has an infectious laugh, strong religious faith, strength and love for her grandchildren. Josefina wanted to be remembered as a loving and nurturing mother. Josefina was a beacon to her family demonstrating special values of forgiveness and caring for others. Josefina enjoyed hobbies of salt-water fishing, family fish fry gatherings, and casino trips with her family. She had a strong religious faith and attended church with her spouse while he was alive attending an Assembly of God Church. She was a charitable contributor to many organizations including disabled veterans, of which she held dearly.

Josefina was preceded in death by her spouse of 48 years, Ernest V. Esparza and son Ruben Alejandro Esparza along with a grandchild Robert Akiro Yamada.

She is survived by sisters, Guadalupe Canales and Teresa Garcia; son, Ernest Jr and spouse Gracelita, Ruben’s spouse Rosemary, son James and spouse Elvia, and daughter Joyce Esparza Yamada. She will be remembered by leaving a legacy of seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, countless nieces, nephews, and friends. Last but not least one of the smallest loves of her life was her loyal companion of 13 years, Chiflada.