Elissa Marie Garfias

Born in Brownsville, TX on December 19, 1920, Elissa was the daughter of Reynaldo and Felicia (Guzman) Mercado and youngest of six children.

Elissa was a beautiful person in every way: gentle, faith-filled and truly committed to God and Family, elegant, sincere, genuinely kind to everyone she came in contact with. She was a "favorite mom" among our friends because she was so very, very sweet. She consistently found happiness in pleasing others throughout her 97 years. In the early 1940's, she enjoyed entertaining WWII military troops by performing traditional Mexican Folk dances of her heritage. She loved being able to serve others with her talents of song and dance. As a teen, her natural beauty earned her the title of Queen in several beauty contests.

It was during a family visit to Mexico City when she met her beloved husband, Dr. Francisco (Frank) G. Garfias. They married on November 24, 1945, in the Iglesia de Santa Teresita, and began married life in Mexico until ultimately returning to Dallas, Texas where she helped to set up Frank's medical practice.

They were happily married for 59 years, during which time they raised four children; Patricia Humphreys of Dallas, TX, Dr. David Garfias, of Denver, CO, Dan Garfias of Carrolton, TX, and Elissa (John) Jackson of Austin, TX.

In her 97 years, she watched her children grow and extended her unwavering love to nine grandchildren: Alexandra Garfias, Ashley Garfias, Aubrey Garfias, and Zach Garfias of Denver, CO, MacKenzie Garfias of Dallas, TX, John Robert Jackson of New York, NY, Frank Coleman Jackson of Washington, D.C., Daniel Griffin Jackson of Austin, TX, and James Harrison Jackson of Austin, TX, and one great-grandchild, due in May.

She will be remembered as a loving Mama and for being the glue that bound a very tight family together, teaching about God, the importance of Family, and being kind to others. She led by example and her children and grandchildren love and respected her.

A memorial mass will be celebrated on Sunday, January 21, 2017 at 10:00 AM at the Calvary Hill Mausoleum North Chapel, located at 3235 Lombardy Lane, Dallas, TX 75220, with Father George Henninger officiating.

The Garfias family thanks you for your loving prayers and support. Please join us immediately following the mass for a Celebration of Life gathering in the Calvary Hill reception room.