Dora Angelia Garcia

Dora A. Garcia passed away peacefully November 30th at 4am surrounded by her most caring and loving family members in the home that her son built for her to share with him. Dora was born in Houston, Texas July 1, 1935 to Anastacio and Ruth Garcia. She graduated from Waite High School in Toledo, Ohio and went on to become a nurse. She was surrounded by her sisters and brothers that vigilantly remained at her bedside praying and providing comfort. Her nephews and nieces also stayed close and visited her daily to pay their respects and reflect upon the impact that she had upon their lives. Her closest friends visited and this no doubt provided her with the comfort that she needed to fall deep into eternal sleep. Dora was the sixth of fourteen children by Anastacio and Ruth Garcia. She was a dedicated daughter to both her mother and father and cared for them both until their untimely deaths. She made a promise, an oath, that she fulfilled two fold to take care of ‘the little ones’. She loved her brothers and sisters dearly. She had an impact in their lives as well as in the lives of all her nieces and nephews, as she loved them all as her own. Her family is deeply saddened by their loss, but takes comfort in cherished memories of a devoted Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt (Tía), and friend who was always there for them, with never a complaint about her circumstances. She will always be remembered for her zest to comfort others, constant kindness and her deep faith in Jehovah God. Her love is extended to her sister Gloria who never made Dora feel as though she ever had a bad idea. Gloria followed her sister and supported her in looking out for ‘the little ones’. Dora had many ideas, some good others not so, and she was more than confident that she could do things on her own, but always appreciated and loved her sister Gloria for always standing by her side no matter the uncertainty of the circumstances. Right or wrong, her sister Gloria stood by her side. She was her most loyal supporter. A sister she loved immensely. She also had a deep affection for Josephina Alejandro, her youngest sister. She loved Josie and applauded her for being the type of person that was dedicated to the wellbeing of their mother and to her own children. Josie was always available to assist Dora in helping her care for their mother. Josie and Dora shared intimate moments while Josie fixed her hair. She grew very close to Josie and admired her for how she raised her children and her dedication to their success. Family and children were extremely important to Dora and her sister Josie demonstrated that same zeal that she had and she absolutely adored her for it. Homer was the youngest of all her brothers and Dora always kept him close to her. Whatever Dora had, she shared it with Homer. She always had a room not only in her house but in her heart for him. Homer lived with Dora close to forty years. There were very few moments in her life that he was not under the same roof as she was. She spurned him to succeed and debated with him on many of his ideologies, some most heated. She treated him mostly like a son, but when she got close to the end, she cherished him as a brother. He demonstrated to her true acts of kindness and cared for her when she could not care for herself. It would warm her heart whenever she’d see him walk into her room and she missed him whenever he’d go away for a few days. They would spend countless Saturday’s watching Texas Longhorn football, as well as, critique every NFL football team on Sunday. Dora loved sports, any and all kinds, but she especially enjoyed watching them with her brother David Homer, a James Coney Island hotdog in one hand and some Delaware punch in the other. She loved all her brothers and sisters intensely, most notably her sisters Helen, Tina, Gloria, Olga, Nora, and Josie. Most notable of her brothers was Capt. Joe, and David Homer Garcia. All shared a special place in her heart but these mostly she beloved. Dora’s one true accomplishment is her son Jose Anastacio Garcia. As a single parent, Dora raised him to love and extend kindness to others whenever an opportunity was provided. She raised him to love and respect Jehovah God and had him out every Saturday morning spreading the word. Jose had many medical problems as a child and Dora was determined to not allow these setbacks to disadvantage her son. Daily and countless hours of speech therapy and tutoring was par for the first ten years of Jose’s education period. An investment that brought about true joy to her when Jose not only graduated High School but also obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch. Only one other thing surpassed her joy of her son’s accomplishments and that was the birth of her grandson Jose Anastacio Garcia Jr. The day that he was born she did not stop smiling for weeks. Two more grandchildren would come to add to her joy, Leticia Celeste Garcia and Jacob Gianni Garcia. She doted over them endlessly. She had the privilege to be near and in their lives almost daily till the day she passed away. No greater pleasure was it for her than to be involved in the caring and raising of her grandchildren. She cooked and cleaned for them, changed their diapers and gave them band-aids for their boo-boos. Her everyday involvement in their lives has created a void in their lives that now is filled with everlasting fond memories. She worked considerably hard to support her daughter-in-law Noemi Garcia. It was always important to her that Mimi spend time with the kids and that opportunities be provided to her to do so. She’d support any idea that provided Noemi, ‘Mimi’, an opportunity to spend more time with the kids. While they would have some differences she revered Mimi for the commitment Noemi demonstrated to her grandchildren and her desire to have Dora close to the children as well as entrusting them into her care daily. Dora’s life touched many other people. Her sense of fundamental decency was apparent in every aspect of her life. She was admired and respected for her loyalty and her love for those who knew her. Dora was a rarity in this world. She will be deeply missed but remembered forever in our hearts. She is preceded in death by her Father-Anastacio Garcia, Mother-Ruth Reyna, Stepfather-Jose Rodriguez, Brothers- John, Eddie, Earnest, and Alphonso Garcia Sister-Helen Pena. She is survived by her Son-Jose A. Garcia, Daughter in Law- Noemi Garcia, Grandchildren Jose A. Garcia Jr, Leticia Celeste, Jacob Gioanni. Siblings-Tina Menchaca, Olga Tucker, Gloria Cabasas, Lillie Ramos, Eleanor Floyd, Josefina Alejandro, Rudy Joe , Stanley, and David Homer Garcia. Nieces and Nephews include- Tom, John, Bruce, Gay, Sue, Patty, Larry, Danny, Mary-Alice, Gracie, Cathy, Linda, Raquel, Johnny, Jeannie, Rusty, Bobby, Annie, Randy, Mark, Maria, Helen, Peggy, Theresa, Cindy, Martha, Janie, Heidi, Kevin, Rudy, Randy, Tina, Martin, Irma, Ruthie, Mandy, Stanley, Mica, Juan, MiAlicia, Natalia, Jennifer, Megan, Nicole, and little Michael & lil’Marty. She left her handprint on so many hearts as well as many unforgettable hugs. She will be sorely missed. Please rest now until you are remembered by our Lord, in Jesus’s name, Amen. The Addison family and staff of Addison Funeral Home extend our condolences to the Garcia family in this time of loss.

Dora Angelia Garcia

November 30, 2010