Maria Elena Garcia

Maria Elena (Nina) Garcia (85), surrounded bedside by her family, passed away on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at The Enclave Rehabilitation Center in San Antonio, Texas. She was born on October 13, 1935 in Mission, Texas. She is predeceased by her mother Maria L. Martinez, also of Mission, Texas, her loving husband Vicente (Chente) Garcia, of Sharyland, Texas, and her eldest son, Jesse of San Marcos, Texas.

Nina is survived by six children, 13 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, a brother and sister. Her surviving children are Omar (Julie) Garcia of Sugar Land, Texas; Rosette (Dan Kisner) Garcia of Rancho Santa Fe, California; Rene (Michelle) Garcia of San Antonio, Texas; Belle (Mark) Whaley of Junction City, Kansas; Anivette (Mark Gutierrez) Garcia of Abilene, Texas; and Melissa (Adrian) Ciechanowicz of Dripping Springs, Texas.

Her surviving grandchildren are Brittany, Jason, Kellen, Anthony, Kendall, Jordan, Chase, Christopher, Griffin, Alexandria, Jessica, Tristan, and Emery. Her surviving great grandchildren are Alejandro, Alora, Aiden, Austin, Emilia, Aria, Bellamy, Briggs, Olivia, and Darryl. Her surviving siblings are Luis Martinez of Corpus Christi, Texas and Elvira Zertuche of Mission, Texas.

Nina was a devoted wife and mother whose pride and joy were her children and grandchildren. She always carried a pocketbook containing pictures of her beloved children and grandchildren, so at a moment’s notice, she could proudly show those pictures to her numerous family members and friends. The wife of an Army Officer, she was a devoted mate to Chente throughout his distinguished 30-year military career, including enduring two honorable tours to Vietnam and accompanying him to various postings around the U.S., Germany, Turkey, and Italy. She loved to dance, an enthusiasm that she passed on to her children. Nothing delighted her more than the family gatherings that involved her children and grandchildren on the dance floor dancing with her. Nina’s favorite songs included: YMCA, We Are Family, Brickhouse, The Macarena, The Chicken Dance, and the Cotton Eye Joe.

A memorial service at the Sunset Chapel, 1701 Austin Hwy, San Antonio, Texas, commences at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, September 28, 2021. The processional to the cemetery departs immediately afterwards, enroute to the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, Texas, where the graveside service takes place at 11:00 AM. Her family will receive family and friends with a visitation from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday, September 27, 2021 at the Sunset Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Hwy, San Antonio, Texas.