Born in Brownsville on June 27, 1936, Loly was one of six children of Alberto Longoria Garza and Ester Treviño Garza. She graduated from Brownsville High School in 1954 and continued her education at Texas Southmost College.
As a teenager, she worked at Kress and Woolworth’s in downtown Brownsville before beginning her professional career with a cotton company at the Port of Brownsville. Her career advanced when she began working as an administrator for several judges at the old Cameron County Courthouse on East Madison Street. After more than a decade with the county courts, she transitioned to the U.S. Federal Courts on Elizabeth Street, where she worked primarily as a court translator for several prominent federal judges, including Judge James DeAnda, Judge Reynaldo Garza, and Magistrate William Mallet.
On October 7, 1978, Loly married the love of her life, Charles Champion. Shortly afterward, she retired to enjoy traveling with Charlie. Together they explored Mexico and many beautiful places across the United States.
Loly’s passions included casino trips, card games, and bunco with her many friends—most of whom she lovingly referred to as her “cousins.” She was also a devoted Dallas Cowboys fan and a regular in football squares—despite being a notoriously poor loser when luck wasn’t on her side. Above all, her greatest joy was spending time with her family, whom she loved fiercely and unconditionally. She will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Las Alturas Nursing Home for their dedicated care. A very special thank‑you goes to her caretaker, Ludivina Juarez, her “guardian angel,” who was by her side every step of the way and loved her as her own mother.
She is survived by her son, Richard Lee Armendariz (Julie); her daughters, Christine Marie Gawenda (Philipp) and Dianna Lyn Armendariz (Sylvia Herrera); her stepson, Chuck Champion (Josie); her stepdaughter, Christy Champion; her granddaughter, Kristin Hurd (Samuel); her grandsons, Ryan Armendariz, Lucas Armendariz (Gracie), Sebastian Gawenda (Anna), and Siegfried Gawenda; her great granddaughter, Ester Hurd; her great grandsons, Ira Hurd, Oliver Armendariz, Jasper Armendariz, and Osprey Armendariz; her sister, Yolanda (Tony) Rivera; and her brother, Ernesto Garza (Maria).
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Champion; her father, Alberto Longoria Garza; her mother Ester Trevino Garza; her brothers, Leonel T, Garza (Rosalba) and Alberto-Betin Garza Jr. (Aurora); and her sister, Mary Ester Garza.
A memorial service will be held at Buena Vista Funeral Home on Friday, June 12, at 9:00 AM at 125 McDavitt Blvd., Brownsville, Texas.
Although this is a time of mourning, Dolores would want her life to be celebrated. In that spirit, the family requests that light or colorful apparel be worn rather than traditional black. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her honor to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.
