Esther Vera Garza

ESTHER VERA GARZA was promoted to the Church Triumphant on the day before her 91st birthday with her family at her bedside. She was born Maria Ester Vera on October 4, 1925 at home in Rancho Nuevo, TEXAS, now known as Roma-Los Saenz, Texas.

Esther is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 69 years, MAX GARZA; her two daughters, INELDA GARZA-HAZLEWOOD and husband, CHARLES L. HAZLEWOOD and ISABELLA GARZA KLEB and husband, RON KLEB; her granddaughters, ESTHER HAZLEWOOD VANDERMEULEN and husband JOHN HARMEN VANDERMEULEN, ADRIANA HAZLEWOOD PHIPPS and husband, BRIAN PHIPPS, MARINA LEIGH ALLEN and fiancé BRANDON ODEAN, great granddaughter, RYLEIGH GABRIELLA ALLEN, great grandsons, DYLAN LEE GOUDEAU and REX GARRISON PHIPPS. Esther also leaves behind her loving baby brother, PROSPERO VERA, JR. and wife, CAROLE, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, PROSPERO VERA, her mother, TOMASA MARTINEZ VERA, her brothers, ARTURO VERA, AMADOR VERA, LIBRADO VERA; her half-sisters, EVA VERA GARZA, SOLEDAD SALDIVAR and her half-brothers, CANUTO MOLINA, SALVADOR GAMEZ, and POLICARPIO VERA.

Esther was a graduate of Rio Grande City High School and earned her teaching certificate from Southwest Texas State Teachers College in San Marcos. She taught school in Brownsville, Texas and after her marriage and move to San Antonio, she began her long-term teaching career at her beloved Concordia Lutheran School in 1954 starting as a substitute teacher and then first grade teacher for 29 years. She taught many of the congregations’ children and grandchildren how to read Dick and Jane and became the unofficial “first tooth-puller” for many first graders. She retired in 1989 and spent her retirement traveling the United States and abroad with family and friends. She loved her quilting group which met every Tuesday to put together quilts for her family, for wounded warriors and their families, and for children with AIDS in the Dallas area, not to mention trips around the country to visit quilting conventions, quilting shops, and restaurants. During her lifetime, she devoted her life to her husband, daughters, grandchildren, her very much loved great grandchildren, and most importantly, to her church and school, living a life of service as a Sunday School teacher, LWML member, choir member, and outreach volunteer.

Her other passion was visiting Laughlin, Reno, Tunica, and Las Vegas. When her friends were no longer around to make the trips, she enlisted her daughters, granddaughters and care-giver to take her.

Her family wishes to thank DR. ALYSSA TRAN and staff of WellMed Thousand Oaks for always taking care of her medical needs, the staff of Optum Palliative and Hospice Services, especially, DAVE, ROSARIO, and JENNIFER. Our special thanks to her long-time companion and care-giver, LOLA ZEPEDA and more recently to Margie’s Angels MARGIE & ROSIE BENAVIDES and CHRISTINA RAMIREZ.

A visitation will be held on Friday, October 7th from 4:30-7:00 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio TX 78218. A celebration of her life will be held at Concordia Lutheran Church, 16801 Huebner Road, San Antonio TX 78258. Memorials may be made to Concordia Lutheran School, Concordia Lutheran Church, or to your choice of charity.