Rita Garza-Lowery

Rita and her family moved to the United States when she was young. As education was always a priority for Rita, she worked hard to earn a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) certification in 1973. Rita continued her education and received an Associate in Nursing from San Antonio College in 1983. She then earned her Registered Nurse (RN) Certification in 1984. Rita’s formal education concluded after she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Texas Health Science Center in 1995, but she never stopped learning. During her career, Rita worked as a nurse at the Metropolitan Hospital. She then transitioned to home health before retiring from the San Antonio State Hospital. A fan of crafting and working with her hands, she loved to sew, knit, crochet, and garden. She was also an amazing cook as her menudo and tamales were highly sought after.

Rita is reunited with her parents, Guadalupe and Jose Herrera; son, Jerry Joe Garza; and beloved husband of 28 years, Joseph Lowery.

Rita is survived by her children, Eric (Michele) Garza and Gabriela Herrera Banda; grandchildren: Alyssa, Rey, Jerry Joe, and Elena Garza, Gabriela Alicia and Jose Banda; great-grandchildren: Mateo Eduardo Banda, and Amelia Jay Garza; siblings: Juan Manuel Herrera, Hermelinda Banda, and Marcelino Herrera, as well by her beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.