Maria Cristina Garcia

BROWNSVILLE, TX. – Maria Cristina Garcia entered into eternal rest on Thursday, the 5th of January 2023, in Brownsville, Texas. She was born in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, daughter of Hortencia and Miguel Garcia Roel on August 6, 1937, the eldest of four children.

As a child and teenager, Cristina enjoyed having an extensive circle of friends and especially took great pleasure in her ballet and international dance classes. She would fondly reminisce over the years about going to dances and parties in the 1950s and 60s, during which her cherished rock and roll records, her name scrawled on labels, always came along.

Cristina also enjoyed traveling, seeing new places, and experiencing different cultures. She traveled extensively throughout Mexico, the Western United States, British Columbia Canada, and the Southern States along the Gulf Coast region. At one of the Brownsville martial arts schools, Cristina studied and practiced Tai Chi for several years and became proficient in several forms of this discipline.

During the 1950s and 60s, she worked as a secretary in Matamoros with Algodones Universales and later as an executive administrative assistant at Pan American Bank in downtown Brownsville, Texas. She met and then married Lee Garcia in May of 1968 and in April of 1969, the first of three children was born. After her third child was born, she became a stay-at-home mother.

Cristina was actively involved with the Sharp Elementary PTA and made popcorn in the school cafeteria at lunch time.  She also was a parent volunteer with the Boy Scouts.  Cristina was one of the first 2 female coaches in Brownsville youth soccer.  She also volunteered with the Hanna Band Booster.  In 1995, she participated in the Brownsville Police Citizens Academy and generously supported the annual BPD Christmas toy drive for many years.  After her children were grown, Cristina became a companion to Tax and Little Girl, her beloved cats.

After Lee's death in 1987, Cristina continued to devote her life completely to her children and their home. She was there for countless milestones and, as the years went on, loved being Grammy to Eric Roel, Isaac, Alexandra, Samantha, Lee Lauren, Rhiannon and Jasper. Cristina's entire family and loved ones will cherish the countless memories of which she was a part. She will be greatly missed.

Preceding Cristina in death was her husband, Lee Garcia from Brownsville, Texas; her parents, Hortencia and Miguel from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico; her brother, Miguel Alejandro Garcia from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico; her sister-in-law, Aurora Cerecero Garcia; and her nephew, Omar Gerardo Sotelo.

Survivors include her children Lee Garcia (Cynthia), Jessica Garcia Roberts (Matthew), and Eric Garcia; her seven grandchildren; her sister, Maria Guadalupe “Lupita” Sotelo (Jose Gerardo); her brother, Guillermo Garcia (Martha); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, the 15th of January 2023 between the hours of five o’clock in the afternoon and nine o'clock at night, with the recitation of the holy rosary to begin at seven o'clock Sunday evening within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at two o’clock in the afternoon on Monday, the 16th of January 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 555 W. St. Francis Street, Brownsville. Interment will then follow, via an escorted procession, at Buena Vista Burial Park, 5 McDavitt Boulevard, Brownsville.

Memories of Cristina may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.