Bertha Champion Garza

Mrs. Bertha Champion Garza, 91, of Brownsville, beloved mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother, sister, and aunt passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at Valley Regional Medical Center surrounded by her children.

Born in Mercedes, Texas on August 3, 1918, she had been a resident of Brownville since the early 1920s. A devout Catholic she was a longtime parishioner of Sacred Heart and St. Marys Catholic Church. On June 9, 1943, she married Reynaldo G. Garza at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Brownsville.

Among her many church and civic activities, Bertha was active in the Altar and Rosary Society, the Pan American Round Table I, the Camille Lightner Playhouse, Brownsville Art League, and the Serape Club. Her family and friends will remember her as a true lady and a gracious woman.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Judge Reynaldo G. Garza her parents, Jose Angel and Maria Champion her sister, Beatrice C. Guerra and her brothers, Joe A., James Raul, and John G. Champion.

Left behind to eternally treasure their memories of her and continue her example of devotion to church and family are her children: Reynaldo G. Trudy Garza Jr., David C. Diane Garza, Ygnacio D. Sylvia Garza, Bertha Gustavo Garza Elizondo, and Monica B. Garza the 12 grandchildren that were her pride and joy: Jessica G. Nichols, Reynaldo G. Trey Garza III, John M. Garza, Nicholas P. Garza, Mariza L. Garza, Liliana Elizondo, Cassandra D. Garza, Thomas D. Garza, Gustavo D. Elizondo, Reynaldo Elizondo, Elizabeth A. Garza, and Alexandra V. Garza, 5 greatgrandchildren her sister, Theresa Champion and her sistersinlaw, Argentina Garza and Ester V. Garza and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. today, Monday, May 11, 2010 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 602 E. Elizabeth St. with the recitation of the holy rosary at 7 p.m. Monday evening at Sacred Heart. The Mass of Christian Resurrection will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2010 at St. Marys Catholic Church, 1914 Barnard Road. Interment will follow at Buena Vista Burial Park. Berthas grandsons, Reynaldo G. Trey Garza III, John Matthew Garza, Nicholas P. Garza, and Gustavo D. Elizondo along with her nephews, Raul J. Guerra, Jr. and Manuel Meme Garza are honored to be serving as her pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, the Garza family requests that memorial gifts in Berthas name be made to the Reynaldo G. and Bertha Garza Endowed Scholarship at the University of Texas at Brownsville, 80 Fort Brown, Brownsville, TX 7852o or to St. Josephs Academy, 101 St. Joseph Dr., Brownsville, Texas 78520.

The Garza family would like to express their deep appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Juan M. Martinez for his compassionate care during her final days. Special thanks also to her caregivers, Chayo, Jose, Marichu, Olivia, Alma, and Myda.

Visitation

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
602 E. Elizabeth St.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Monday, May 10, 2010
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Service

Rosary

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
602 E. Elizabeth
Brownsville, TX  78520
Monday, May 10, 2010
7 p.m.

Mass

St. Mary Mother of the Church
1944 Barnard Road
Brownsville, TX  78520
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
2 p.m.

Cemetery

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

Memorial Contributions

@ The University of Texas
Brownsville, TX  78520