Dolores Maria Edmonds

Dolores was born in Fort Stockton, Texas, on September 29, 1934, to Arturo and Maria Fabiana Garcia (Salazar). Growing up in rural farming areas, she labored beside her father and siblings, picking cotton to contribute to sustaining the family. Her family moved to Lubbock, Texas in 1947, and she dropped out of high school to work full time to help her parents. She got a job at a cookie factory, Clary’s Egg Factory, and then Lowkey’s Dry Cleaners until 1963. These jobs were not only employment for Dolores, but a way of giving back and showing love for her family.

As a young woman, she was active in church youth activities and enjoyed weekends accompanying her father to chaperoned dances as he played the trumpet and she spun across the floor with her sisters to the sounds of Mexican music. It was at one dance in the spring of 1963 that Dolores caught the eye of a young, British USAF Airmen assigned to Reese Air Force Base. For George Edmonds, it was love at first sight and he vowed to marry her. One Texas whirlwind of a courtship later they married at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Lubbock, Texas on October 5, 1963.  Their first son, James, was born on January 26, 1965. To improve life for his family, George separated from the Air Force, was hired by Eastman Kodak, and she left her family in Lubbock and moved to Irving in 1966, a decision that Dolores recalled being the hardest of her life. Their second son, John, was born in Irving on December 28, 1967.

In Irving Dolores was a devoted wife, friendly neighbor and loving mother. She managed the house, cared for the kids, acted as class “home mother,” attending all her kids’ sports practices, games and school events. She went back to school to obtain her GED, then earned an associate’s degree from North Lake Community College. Over fifty-plus years, she was an active member of St. Luke’s Catholic Parish, The University of Dallas Catholic Parish, and Holy Family Catholic Parish, serving in a variety of roles and supporting community charities in her loving, welcoming manner.

After her marriage ended in divorce after 26 years, Dolores demonstrated the perseverance and grit she was known for by creating her own second act. She returned to the workforce and worked for 22 years at the national headquarters for the Boy Scouts of America assisting national chapters. Even while paying off her mortgage and setting up her future, she never stopped dancing, loving, and caring for those in her community.

Dolores loved to travel and often visited her sons, both Air Force officers, be they stationed in North Dakota or the scenic European locations. She treasured these visits, the memories of which were shared in fond recollections for years. Dolores was the family’s unofficial historian, never forgetting birthdays, anniversaries, phone numbers and events in the lives of people she loved. Her front door was always open to friends and family seeking fellowship, kindness, and of course excellent food. Even as her health began to fail, her hospitality and noble spirit knew no bounds.

Dolores is preceded in death by her mother Maria Fabiana Garcia and her father Arturo Garcia, her sisters Connie Nunez, Nora Perez, Riba Lopez, Dale Munoz, her brother Ismael “Mel” Garcia and her ex-husband George Edward Edmonds. She is survived by her children Lt Col James Edward Edmonds, USAF (ret) and Major John Arthur Edmonds, USAF (ret); grandchildren Michael DeWitt Edmonds, Elizabeth Marie Edmonds and Isabella Sophia Rose Edmonds; and siblings Patsy Garcia, Nancy Morales, Arturo Garcia, Jr. and Armando Garcia as well as many nieces and nephews. 

Pallbearers are Michael Edmonds, Bill and James Sosa, Roy Lopez, Butch Garcia and Mark Perez.

A rosary will be recited at 3:00 p.m. on 9 March at Resthaven Funeral Home Chapel, in Lubbock, Texas, followed by a viewing, remembrance and reception. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on 10 March at St John Neumann Catholic Church, Lubbock Texas, with Father Peter D’Souza presiding, followed by the internment at Resthaven Memorial Park under the direction of Resthaven funeral home. A catered lunch and fellowship will immediately follow at St John Neumann’s school cafeteria.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Catholic Charities USA, https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Villages at MacArthur in Irving, Texas, Vital Caring Group and Complete TX Hospice Care for their loving care.