Belia Canales Cruz

Belia C. Cruz, 90, of Brownsville, Texas, went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday, June 01, 2013, at Valley Baptist Medical Center surrounded by her loving family.

Belia was born in Premont, Texas, to Delfina Gonzalez and E. C. Canales the oldest of seven children. Belia graduated from Premont High School in 1940. In 1941 and 1942, Belia attended Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. In 1943 and 1944, Belia continued her studies at Texas A I University in Kingsville, TX, graduating in 1945.

Belia was a lifelong educator beginning her teaching career in 1945 at Ben Bolt High School. In 1946, she started teaching at Benavides High School where she taught for several years before coming to Brownsville. Belia started teaching at Brownsville High School in 1952 and moved on to Homer Hanna H.S. when it opened its doors in 1967. She remained at Hanna until 1974, when she went on to teach at James Pace H. S. from 19751979. She taught at St. Josephs Academy in 198081 and returned to Hanna in 1982 which would be her last year of teaching for the BISD.

Belia taught Algebra I and II and was always the head of the Math Department at all the schools she worked at. Belia spent endless hours after school tutoring her students because she wanted all of them to succeed. Belia, a lifetime resident of Brownsville, touched the lives of thousands in our community.

Belia was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. She loved playing Bunco and Chalupa. Belia enjoyed having BBQs and staying on the island during the summer for family reunions. She loved spending time with family and friends. In her spare time, Belia enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, and gardening. Belia had a hearty appetite and loved to dance and enjoyed listening to guitar and mariachi music. Her passion was teaching and she loved all kinds of animals. Belia was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by all those fortunate to have known her and been a part of her life.

Belia was preceded in death by her parents Delfina and E. C. Canales her late husband, Ernesto Cruz her son, Daniel Roberto Cruz two sisters, Lily Perez and Aurora Garza one brother, Hesiquio Canales and her loyal dog, Lucky.

Left behind to eternally treasure their memories of her are her loving daughter, Veronica Cruz Coons her wonderful soninlaw, Charles Coons her lovely granddaughters, Katelyn R. Coons and Irma Cruz her beautiful sister, Ester Tobin two remarkable brothers, Dr. Carlos Canales and Jesus Canales and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family members.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, June 7. 2013, in the East Chapel at DarlingMouser Funeral Home with the recitation of the holy rosary scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Friday evening.

A Liturgical Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2013, at St. Marys Catholic Church, 1914 Barnard Road in Brownsville. Committal services will follow at Buena Vista Burial Park.

Belias nephews: Dr. Edmundo Canales, Michael Cavazos, Honorable Judge Oscar Garcia, Ricky Garcia, Ricky Garza, and Jimmy Musel are honored to be serving as pallbearers for their beloved aunt Belia.

A Message from Belia

My time here on earth has come to an end. I m now with my creator smiling down upon you. Although Im no longer able to be with you physically, Ill always be with you in spirit, holding your hand through the roller coaster ride we call life. Please remember that no matter what knocks you down in life, you must rise up stronger than before. One never truly knows when its their time. We must enjoy every moment we have with each other, live life with no regrets, and most of all have faith that everything will be okay, because after every storm there is a rainbow.
See ya later Alligator
My Love To All, Belia

In addition to floral tributes, memorial gifts in Belias name may be made to the ASPCA, Attn: Gift Processing Center, 424 East 92nd Street, New York, NY 101286804 18006280028 www.aspca.org.

Visitation

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Friday, June 7, 2013
5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m,.

Service

Rosary

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Friday, June 7, 2013
7:00 p.m.

Liturgical Funeral Service

St. Mary Mother of the Church
1914 Barnard Road
Brownsville, TX  78520
Saturday, June 8, 2013
11:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Buena Vista Burial Park
5 McDavitt Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78521

Memorial Contributions

424 East 92nd Street
New York, NY  10128