She was born to Abelardo and Juanita Pena on September 19, 1954, in Brownsville, Texas. She was the oldest of 5 children, and like most kids, she spent her youth doing chores and looking after her siblings.
As a young adult she was very ambitious and career minded, all at a time when women were not seen as equals in the workforce. She excelled in many career fields to include working for the local paper, retail management for Montgomery Wards and Mervyn’s and later as a restaurant co-owner (Smokey Joe’s BBQ), before finally retiring.
Rose had a passion for life, but especially her family. She was extremely proud of her sons and adored her grandchildren. She enjoyed being in the outdoors, loved going fishing, working in the yard, playing bingo and loteria. She had a love for arts & crafts and had an eclectic sense of style. Most days were spent in devotional study and prayer, tending to the fish in her aquarium, playing with her dogs “Patches” and “Rico” and drinking coffee.
She was preceded in death by her parents Abelardo and Juanita Pena.
She is survived by Joe Garza Jr, her husband of 28 years; sons Valentin Garcia Jr. (Le’Char); Ismael Garcia (Marie S); Saul Garcia (Marie C); 5 grandchildren (Anyssa, Amanda Jo, Grace, Serenity, and Isaiah); sister Nora Salinas (Rey); brothers Abe Pena Jr, Ismael Pena (Vicki) and Lisandro Pena (Irma) and many nieces & nephews, aunties & uncles, cousins & friends, too numerous to mention.
Rose was of strong Faith, had an infectious smile and love for everyone, she will be dearly missed by family and friends.
Serving as pallbearers are Valentin Garcia Jr, Ismael Garcia, Saul Garcia, Abe Pena, Ismael Pena, Reynaldo Salinas.
Honorary Pallbearers are Lisandro Pena, Noe Beltran Jr, Lisandro Pena Jr, Nathan Rey Martinez, Roberto Antonio Araujo and Daniel Pena.
A visitation will be held Monday, September 13, 2021 from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Funeraria Del Angel Rose Lawn with a rosary at 7:00 PM at Funeraria Del Angel Rose Lawn. A chapel service will occur Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 9:00 AM at Funeraria Del Angel Rose Lawn followed by a burial at 10:00 AM at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens located at 4464 Old Port Isabel Rd., Brownsville, TX., 78526.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dignitymemorial.com/legacy for the Garza family.
