Maria "Tita" Antonieta Galan

Maria Antonieta Galan, 87, of Lytle, Texas passed away surrounded by loved ones on November 27, 2025, at 9:32am and was in the presence of our Heavenly Father the moment she took her last breath on earth. Maria passed away due to sepsis while in the hospital.

Maria (also known as “Tita” to many) was born on November 6, 1938, to Maria Catalina (Rodriguez) Galan and Fernando Reyes Galan in Eagle Pass, Texas. Tita had 2 older siblings, Fernando (Chacho) and Graciela (Chacha), who preceded her to glory.

Maria grew up in Eagle Pass, Texas with her family until the age of 8, then moved to Laredo, Texas due to her father’s employment. She graduated from Ursuline Academy in Laredo in 1956.

At the age of 19 she married Billy Roy Horne and had 4 children together, Mary Lou (Lou), Robert Anthony (R.A.), Grace Gloria (Gigi) and John Micheal (Johnny). While Billy served in the Air Force, they lived in the Philippines, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Laredo, Texas. Maria and Billy were divorced in 1967.

At the age of 28, Maria married John Lawrence Attridge. While married to John, she had 4 more children, Maureen Elizabeth, Ann Marie, Karen Eve and Michael Mark. Together, they lived in San Antonio, Texas while John was also serving in the Air Force.

Maria worked several jobs throughout her life, starting out as a swim teacher at the Boys Club of Eagle Pass, and later, a candy clerk at Montgomery Wards and a Billeting and an OSHA Inspector at Fort Sam Houston Army Base. Later in life, prior to retirement, she became a caretaker for children and elderly dementia patients. Maria had a fondness for both, showing such love and compassion towards those she cared for and they in turn, trusted and loved her dearly.

Maria was a God fearing, Jesus loving, Prayer Warrior and she loved to talk about her Savior, Jesus. Maria was in constant prayer for her children, and we all knew we were protected and shielded because of her intercession. She read her Bible daily and had an unwavering faith.

Maria possessed many incredible talents, a synchronized swimmer, piano and clarinet player, singer and baton twirler, able to twirl 4 ‘flaming batons at once! She was also a gifted equestrian, such a natural talent and wonder to behold on horseback. And of course, Maria was a magnificent dancer, displaying such grace and elegance. In her younger years she took dancing lessons, excelling in zapateados and folkloricos, a passion which continued throughout her life. Whether it be cumbia, merengue, salsa or bachata, with graceful poise, she was always Queen of the dance floor.

Maria was a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT), belonging to the Alamo Couriers Chapter. She was also a member of the Canary Islands Descendants Association.

Maria was proceeded in death by her beloved parents, Maria Catalina Galan and Fernando Reyes Galan, her brother Fernando (Chacho) Galan, her sister Graciela (Chacha) Villafranca, her daughter Grace Gloria ‘Gigi’ (Horne) Isaac, and her nephews Fernando (Freddie) Galan and Jorge Villafranca.

Maria is survived by her children: Mary Lou (Horne) Kubena, Robert Anthony (R.A.) Horne, John Michael (Johnny) Horne, Maureen Elizabeth Attridge, Ann Marie Attridge, Karen Eve Attridge and Michael Mark Attridge, and by 11 grandchildren: Ryan Horne, Lindsay (Horne) Colyer, Zachary Horne, Celene Isaac, Anastacia (Isaac) Salazar, Grace (Baby Gigi) Isaac, James Tyson Horne, Jacob Horne, Alexander Monte, Alyssa Monte, and James Anthony Kirkpatrick, and by her 7 great grandchildren, Ella Horne, Nash Colyer,

Tripp Horne, Triston Horne, Syriana Lozano, Serenity Lozano, Eric Lozano, Jennifer Lozano, Jessie Nicole Salazar, Giulianna Gentry, and her nephew Joaquin Javier (J.J., Javi) Villafranca who she loved like a son, her nephew David Galan, and nieces Sally (Galan) Tobin and Sonya (Galan) Wolf.

Our Mom was a prayer warrior. She read her Bible daily and encouraged us to read our bibles daily and she always reminded us to say our night prayers. Her legacy is that of prayer. Thank you, Mom, for always praying for us!