Cristina Vela Garza

Cristina Vela Garza, 96, entered eternal rest on Friday, January 12, 2024.

She was born to Manuel Vela and Crisanta Guerra Vela in Laredo, Texas. After the loss of her mother when she was only twelve, older siblings and maternal aunts stepped in to help fill in for the loss. She went on to graduate from Ursaline Academy in Laredo.

She then went to work for Laredo National Bank where she met her future husband, Javier. During the early years of her marriage, she worked at the Singer Sewing Machine Store in Laredo, then retired to care for her four children full time.

Cristina was a devout Catholic, and an enthusiastic member of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Altar Society. When her children started moving onto college and marriage, she began a long career as a beloved substitute teacher for Laredo Independent School District.

Later, she devoted many more years as a volunteer for the Auxiliary at Mercy Hospital, and continued this service after it became Laredo Medical Center.

Cristina’s hobbies included reading, listening to music, going to movies, and traveling with her children when she could. When you ask her children, their spouses and their friends to share their thoughts about her, their first comment will always refer to Cristina’s kindness, generosity, and her beautiful smile. Multifaceted, as are all humans, she also possessed a sharp and, at times, piercing wit, a skill she found more useful in her later years. 

But what she was particularly known for was her culinary prowess. Whether it was a quick breakfast for one child before school, or a holiday feast for extended family, Cristina always found a way to cook savory and generous meals “con amor” for all who dined at her table. Family and friends always have fond recollections of her cooking and baking, especially the pies, cakes, and cookies, of which peanut butter was typically their favorite. 

Cristina was preceded in death by her husband Javier Garza; parents Manuel Vela and Crisanta Guerra Vela; siblings Aurelio Vela, Benilde Ramirez, Luis Vela, Crisanta Vela, Irene Floyd, Angelina “Angie” Moss, Jacobo “Jack” Vela, Mary Monson, and Virginia Vela; her son Roberto Javier “Bobby” Garza (Celina Ridge); and her grandchildren Christopher David Garza and Nicholas Eduardo Garza.

She is survived by her children Lauro Alfonso “Larry” Garza (Ginnie), daughter Adrienne “Ruzzie” Parrish (David), and Dr. David Eduardo Garza (Linda); her grandchildren Evan Garza, Cristina Garza, Lauren Garza, Morgan Garza, Joseph Garza, Laura Parrish, Mary Parrish; and great grandchildren Kai Garza Tissington, Sena Garza Tissington, Nino Copano, Roma Copano, and Felix Copano. 

The family will be receiving condolences on Friday morning, January 26, 2024, from 8 to 10:15 a.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd.

Funeral Services will be conducted afterwards with a departure at 10:15 a.m. from Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels to St. Patrick Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30 a.m.

Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the family plot of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. 

The pallbearers will be Evan Garza, Lauren Garza, Morgan Garza, Tony Ramirez, Rick Ramirez, John Monson, and Haynes Todd.

The family would like to extend their most heartfelt gratitude to the nursing staff and administration at The Village at Incarnate Word, and Dr. Rudy Zarate, for the care and attention provided to Cristina in San Antonio. 

You may express your condolences, share your favorite memories, and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.