Maria del Carmen Garcia

Maria del Carmen Garcia, passed away on the 8th of March 2016. She was born in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico. She is preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Sgt. Jesse C. “Doc” Garcia and brother, Emilio Aleman.

She had many talents from her early days as a mountain climber, being the first female radio announcer for KLVL 1480 AM, Houston’s first Spanish speaking radio station, to being a wife and mother. She was revered as “The Voice of the Latino Community”. During one of her radio interviews she met a handsome paratrooper, who she later married and enjoyed raising her family and creating lifelong friendships through the military way of life.

Maria’s talents also extended into television where she interviewed various people of notoriety. One of her most heartfelt interviews was with the late civil rights activist; Cesar Chavez and Medal of Honor Recipient; Master Sgt. Roy P. Benavidez. She had a heart for her community and lead by example by developing neighborhood programs like “Meals on Wheels” for senior citizens.

She is survived by her loving daughters, Carmen Garcia, Connie Garcia and Perla Garcia-Cloninger, son-in-law, Terry Cloninger and her only grandson, Eliott Jesse Cloninger. She is also survived by her sister, Rafaela Rendon and sister-in-law, Mary Helen “Cookie” Garcia and many nieces and nephews.

Maria lived a life rich in family and friends, she was a women of strong faith and always reached out to others to spread the word. She will be in our hearts forever.

The family will receive friends on Monday, the 14th of March, from 5pm – 8pm. The funeral service will be held at 10am on Tuesday, the 15th at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home & Cemetery.