Yolanda Diaz Galvan

The lyrics in the song “I Can Only Imagine” say “Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine, I can only imagine.” Yolanda Diaz Galvan wondered what her reaction would be as she entered into His presence. On Thursday, September 3, 2020, the moment was upon her as she departed her earthly home, surrounded by her family, and entered her eternal home in heaven.

She was born October 4, 1948 in San Antonio, Texas, the third child of Albert E. Diaz and Mary Louise Vara Diaz. At a few weeks old, Yolanda’s maternal grandmother Adela Vargas, whom she affectionately called Amá, began raising her. Their special bond eventually allowed Yolanda to reciprocate her love by becoming her Amá’s compassionate caregiver until her death. They moved many times resulting in Yolanda changing schools often. Consequently, she only stayed for a brief time in her third-grade class at Hillcrest Elementary with Mrs. Bernhardt. As she discovered years later, her future husband was in the same class, but they didn’t have a chance to meet. Eleven years later they would be officially introduced.

At the age of 9, she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. By the age of 11, she began teaching Sunday School, helping her discover her love of teaching that would continue throughout her life. Also, at this young age, she became president of the Templo Elim youth group. Initially, she didn’t feel ready for this leadership role, but she knew God would guide her steps. Over the years she received several accolades for teaching, including Sunday School Teacher of the Year. She humbly appreciated this; however, what mattered most to her was seeing her students develop in their walk with Christ.

After graduating Harlandale High School, she began attending Templo Bethel Church, where her former third-grade classmate, Roberto Galvan, was a member. In October 1968, Roberto saw Yolanda but didn’t have time to speak with her as he was just there on a short military leave. His mother, however, persisted without him knowing, and asked Yolanda to write her son as he was training in Ft. Stewart, Georgia for deployment to Vietnam. A few months later on Robert’s birthday in February 1969, Yolanda wrote him a letter and sent him a bible for his gift. Throughout the next year, after corresponding through hundreds of letters, Yolanda accepted Roberto’s marriage proposal in May 1970. On June 20,1970, they were married. Shortly after, Roberto was deployed a second time to Vietnam. Her prayers were answered when he returned home safely in 1971.

A few years into their marriage, they were blessed with a daughter named Deborah whom she bonded with immediately. She loved taking her everywhere and seeing the world through her eyes. Years later, after several miscarriages, she received a double blessing when twin daughters, Monica and Veronica, arrived. She cherished all three of her daughters and impressed upon them many things. The most important was Deuteronomy 6:5, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” She always wanted her daughters to know about God’s word, just as her own mother had shared with her. Yolanda was always thankful that her mother told her about Jesus; that is the best lesson parents can teach their children. She was also thankful that her mother showed her how to make pies, which she proudly taught her daughters. Making pies provided many opportunities, created special friendships, and helped her express gratitude to others.

Yolanda fulfilled her dream of attending bible school. She cherished every moment at Latin American Bible Institute, as she immersed herself in studying the Bible and participated in the school’s choir. Singing was a passion of hers because she loved to worship God, thanking Him for all that He had done and all He was going to do. These years were a blessing because they strengthened her relationship with Christ.

Yolanda’s love of teaching continued as she joined NISD as an instructional assistant. She knew that there is power in prayer, so she arrived every school day at 6:00 am before the students, to anoint each chair and desk. Yolanda met many wonderful students, parents, and school staff during this time, but after being in the classroom 16 years, she retired.

A few years later, she eagerly awaited the birth of her first grandchild Santiago Ramon, whom she traveled to meet in North Las Vegas, Nevada. His arrival brought her much joy as did the birth of her other grandson Teodor Ramon, a few years later, whom she traveled to meet in Portsmouth, Virginia. From their birth until recently she enjoyed singing to them and praying special blessings upon them.

On June 20, 2020, Yolanda and Roberto celebrated 50 years of marriage. While circumstances prevented a celebration of this rarely-achieved milestone, they thanked God for the many years He had blessed them with. They knew the reason their marriage lasted many years was only because of God. He brought them together, and because they spent time with Him daily, He blessed their marriage.

Over the past six years, Yolanda has endured major health issues; what the enemy meant for evil, God used for His glory because she shared her testimony about the goodness of God with doctors, nurses, other patients and their families, and many others. A few years ago, Yolanda awoke from a medically induced coma that some didn’t believe would happen; as soon as she was extubated, with a weak voice she began singing praises to God. Later Yolanda explained to her doctor that as the daughter of a King, she is royalty. Yolanda’s Pakistani doctor was amazed at her healing and her boldness for Christ.

We would like to thank every person who prayed for miraculous healing after her recent diagnosis of brain cancer. She was put on prayer lists, received encouraging phone calls and in-person visits. We appreciated this very much and believe that she did receive her miracle in heaven. None of us is guaranteed tomorrow, so with no fear she was prepared for God’s will. In heaven she now has full body restoration and is free from sickness and disease. As the matriarch of our family, she was a compassionate caregiver, an incredible pie maker, a fervent prayer warrior, and a faithful ambassador for Christ. She will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.

She is preceded in death by her grandmother Adela Vargas, mother Mary Louise Ybarra, father Albert E. Diaz, step-father Joel C. Ybarra Sr., mother-in- law Reynalda Davila, aunt Dora Galvan, brother Albert Diaz Jr., step-sister Rebecca Castellano, step-brother Rev. Joel C. Ybarra Jr., brother-in-law Juan Mendoza, and nephew Joel C. Ybarra III.

She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Roberto Galvan; her daughters Deborah Galvan-Ramon (Adrian), Monica Galvan, and Veronica Galvan; grandsons Santiago Ramon and Teodor Ramon; brother Luis Diaz, step-sisters Rachel Mendoza, Martha Garcia (Mario), Mary Esther Wade (Myron), sister-in-law Martha Southers (Scott), sister-in-law Gloria Ybarra, brother-in-law Roger Davila, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A visitation and prayer service will take place on Thursday, September 24, 2020 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Porter Loring North.

Funeral Service will be on Friday, September 25, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. at the Vada Hagee Chapel at Cornerstone Church. Interment will follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery at 11:30 a.m.

Service was livestreamed and can be viewed below: