Esther was the 2nd eldest daughter of a Ponciano Garcia and Soledad (Barajas) Garcia. She was married in 1957 and had five children - four daughters and one son. She worked for the retail store Gottschalks both while living in Los Angeles and also in Merced before she was employed by the State of California Employment Development Department from 1973 until her retirement in 2004. In 1979, she was baptized and became a member of Apostolic Tabernacle Church of Merced, where she has been an active member ever since. Esther loved singing in the choir, ushering, and serving others in any capacity. She was a mother to many and a Christian example to all.
She is preceded in death by her brothers: Robert Garcia of Oxnard, CA, John Garcia and Paul Garcia of Merced, and Daniel Garcia of San Diego, CA, her sisters: Rachel Granados and Elizabeth (Alice) Ammerman of Merced, and Mary Padilla of Deming, NM.
She is survived by her sisters: Carmen Durham (Jim Durham), Stella Ries (Michael Ries) and her children: Rebecca Ponce, Teri Urquidez-Ortiz (Nelson Ortiz), Michele Urquidez-Ortiz (Joseph Ortiz), D’Artine Solis (Frank Solis), Andres Urquidez (Candi Urquidez); 12 Grandchildren, 14 Great-Grandchildren, nieces and nephews from all her siblings and cousins.
“Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come; she openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness” Prov 31:25-26; This is who she is!!
Funeral services will be held on August 14, 2018 at Apostolic Tabernacle, 2745 E Hwy 140, Merced, CA. a visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. - 11: a.m. with funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m.
