Manuela R. Garza

Manuela R. Garza

August 20, 1932-September 10, 2023

Manuela “Nena” Rodriguez-Garza was called to her eternal rest on Sunday, September 10, 2023 surrounded by her family.

Nena as she was affectionately called, was born on August 20, 1932 and was raised in Laredo, Texas.

She was a proud graduate of Laredo High School class of 1952.  She married the love of her life, the late Raul Garza in April of 1956.

She is preceded in death by her parents Cristobal and Eliza Rodriguez and her loving husband Raul Garza.  She is also preceded in death by her siblings, Gloria (Evald) Löfgren, Graciela (Pedro) Bustamante, Raymundo (Aurora) Rodriguez, Cristobal (Sara) Rodriguez, Jr., Gilberto (Dolores) Rodriguez, and Rogelio Rodriguez.

She proudly worked for Laredo Welders Equipment until her retirement.

Nena lived a Christian life, prayed daily and accepted the teachings of Christ and his church.  She was a parishioner at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and a member of the Altar Society.

Nena loved to celebrate every holiday with family and friends.  Her home was always tastefully decorated for every season, but of all holidays, Christmas was her favorite. And she filled her spare time with gardening and baking her famous empanadas.

She is survived by her children: Raul (Patsy) Garza, Jr., Cynthia G. Giddens, and Lisa Michelle (Henry) Miller.  Her grandchildren: Leah M. Garza (Brandon) Burke, Raul Garza III, Ashley Nicole (Adrian) Galarza, Andrew J. Miller, Katherine A. (Thomas) Clark, Brian A. Miller, and Lauren Elizabeth Giddens; and great-grandchild: Thomas R. Clark, Jr. 

A special thanks to Dr. Luis Benavides, Ricardo Salinas and staff of Laredo Premier Healthcare and Nurses on Wheels.

A heartfelt thanks to her caregiver Cipriana “Nena” Osorio, for her unconditional love and support.

The family will be receiving condolences on Thursday morning, September 14, 2023.  Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with a rosary recitation at 10:00 a.m. at Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels, 719 Loring at Cortez.

The funeral procession will then depart Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapels at 11:30 a.m. to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon.

Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the family plot of the Laredo City Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Raul Garza III, Andrew Miller, Brian Miller, Henry Miller, Brandon Burke, Ernest Giddens, Pedro Bustamante, and Gilberto Rodriguez, Jr.

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 Heights Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 719 Loring at Cortez, Laredo, Texas 78040; (956)722-0001.