Criselda “La Chief” Garcia Casanova, of Premont, Texas, passed away Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at a hospital in Kingsville, Texas at the age of 86. She was born on October 28, 1934 to Ernesto Garcia and Paula Gonzalez Garcia in Premont, Texas. She worked for many years in the cafeteria for Premont ISD until she retired. She enjoyed bingo, card games and trying her luck at the gambling machines. Many of the children in the family knew her as “grandma” because she treated them all like her own grandchildren. Many also knew her as "La Chief" because she was the boss in the family. She worked hard and loved even harder, never closing her door to anyone in need. She lived a long, full life and was loved by many.
Criselda was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roberto “Dad” Casanova; daughter, Rosario Casanova; sisters, Celestina Quintanilla, Ernestina Mata, Guadalupe Quintanilla and Elva Garcia and brother, Marcario Garcia.
She is survived by her two sons, Roel "Role" (Rebecca) Casanova of Springtown, Texas and Richard (Nadia) Mata of Premont; two daughters, Maria Ester Casanova of Greely, Colorado and Rachel Casanova of Premont; brothers, Jesus (Albesa) Garcia of Lynn, Texas and Ynez (Elena) Garcia of Edinburg, Texas; five grandchildren, Regino Gonzalez, Leroy Gonzalez, Amy Gonzalez, Mi-Angel Casanova and Riccardo "RJ” J. Rodriguez, eight great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
Rosary will be prayed at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at the Funeraria Del Angel Howard Williams in Falfurrias with visitation beginning at 11:30 a.m. Due to current Covid restrictions, funeral home occupancy is 50 people maximum at this time. Funeral Mass will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Falfurrias. Burial will follow at Rancho Destrozo on CR 401 B/Hill Ave in Jim Wells County.
