Pearl Esther Garza Lopez was born on April 6, 1925, in her parents' house at 3302 W. Salinas Street, in San Antonio, TX. Her parents were Ernesto Benjamin Garza and Herlinda Garza, deceased. She had one brother, Humberto, now deceased.
Pearl attended Ira Ogden Elementary School, Washington Irving Jr. High, and Thomas Jefferson High School, graduating in 1943. She and her cousin, Emma, were the first Hispanic girls chosen for ROTC sponsor at Jefferson High School. She played the piano, along with her cousin Joe on the violin, for the commencement exercises.
She was married for 46 years to Daniel Lopez, now deceased. She is survived by her 3 daughters and their husbands: Diana Ruth and Jim Rollins, Norma Jean Lopez and Stephen McCandless, and Cynthia Ann and Amir Moayedpardazi. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren: Stephanie McCann, Jason DeLeon, Laura DeLeon, Ismail Moayedpardazi, Hamideh Moayedpardazi, and Ahmad Moayedpardazi, and 7 great-grandchildren.
Pearl attended Draughon's Business College, San Antonio College, and St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX, as well as Brookhaven Community College in the Dallas area. She worked for over 40 years as a bookeeper and tax accountant, including over 20 years of self-employment.
Pearl moved to Carrollton, TX, in 1990. She was a was a member of the Carrollton Woman's Club, volunteered at Trinity Medical Center in Carrollton, and taught English as a Second Language courses.
Pearl was a member of La Trinidad United Methodist Church (UMC) and Los Angeles Heights UMC in San Antonio, and Holy Covenant UMC in Carrollton. From the age of 13 throughout her life, she served the church and related organizations:
- Directed children and adult choirs
- Church organist
- Taught sunday school
- Choir member
- Visited shut-ins
- Church bookkeeper
- Member, Church Mission and Evangelism Board
- Member of Church Administrative Board
- Served in United Methodist Women as Member, Local Chairperson, District Officer, Conference Representative, and Jurisdiction Representative
- Member of Ecumenical Conference of Churches
- Board Member, Wesley House Community Center, San Antonio
- Board Member/Treasurer, Wesley-Rankin Community Center, Dallas
Pearl died in Tempe, AZ, on Sunday, September 8, 2019. She was 94 years old.
“The God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” 1 Peter 5:10
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