Denise was kind-hearted and of generous spirit. She was a dedicated mom, grandmother, wife, sister and aunt. She had a strong personality and was fiercely devoted to her family and friends. Nothing meant more to her than her family, and her most cherished moments were those spent surrounded by the people she loved.
She was most at home sitting outside with her husband Doug, dog Missy and the kittens that lived under her deck simply watching the sunset. Some of her happiest moments were spending time with her grandkids. She especially loved to see them on stage singing and acting. They were her pride and joy.
She is survived by her husband Doug Schmidt and son Ray Briggs II (Emily Briggs: father Ray Briggs) and her grandkids Jane Alice Briggs, Elizabeth Marcella Briggs. She is also survived by her siblings: Amanda Cahall and Nolia Lanza (Gary Lanza); her nieces and nephews: Matthew Lanza, Jeremy Lanza (Stephanie Lanza), Joseph Lanza, Kyle Cahall and Danielle Cahall; and by her grand-nieces and nephews: Louis Hunter-Lanza, and Samuel Lanza.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel Flores Garcia and Alice Olvera Garcia, as well as Marcella Garcia, Michael Garcia, Keith Cahall, and Brian Lanza.
Visitation will be held at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen, on October 26, 2026, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. A Rosary will be performed around 10:30 am. Family and friends will have an opportunity to speak and share memories of Denise during the visitation.
A Funeral Service will be held at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 2903 E Rancier Ave, Killeen, TX 76543, US, on October 26, 2026, at 1:00 pm. Burial will follow at Killeen City Cemetery.
Denise’s kind smile and compassionate nature will be profoundly missed, though her spirit lives on through everyone she touched.
"There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone, the light remains."
