Mercedes Esmeralda Garza

SAN BENITO, TX. – Mercedes Esmeralda Garza, born on October 5, 1955 in San Benito, died on Thursday, July 16,  2015, at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas. She was 59 years old.
Mercedes received her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, and later was employed with the San Benito C.I.S.D. at Dr. Cash Elementary and Fred Booth Elementary. She was a Special Education teacher and coach with the district for 27 years, always helping others and those in need despite her illness. Throughout the years, she has touched so many lives. Her energy and strength were absolutely infectious. It is because of her that her daughters are the women they are today, and they are both extremely proud of their mother and all she accomplished during her lifetime.
Living each day to the fullest, Mercedes kept fighting to be there for everyone. Playing Bingo, working on completing crossword puzzles, fighting and playing with her pets, shopping, and arguing with her mother-in-law and husband were some of her most favorite things to do. Mercedes was also president of the Ladies Auxiliary of San Benito, The Belle Booster Club, as well as a St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital sponsor.
She cherished and supported her family and always stood by her daughter’s sides; family was of the utmost importance and always came first no matter what, as did church, in which Mercedes was a devout and devoted Catholic.
Survivors include her loving husband of 37 years, Lupe Garza, Jr.; daughters, Jessica Renee Garza and Tammie Rae Polanco; son-in-law, Omar Polanco; and parents, Teresa Salazar and Roberto Aguilar.
Visiting hours are tomorrow, Sunday, July 19, 2015, beginning at 1:00 p.m. and concluding at 9:00 p.m., with a recitation of the holy rosary to begin at 7:00 p.m. within the San Benito Funeral Home Chapel, 1400 West Highway 77, San Benito, Texas 78586.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, July 20, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in Our Lady Queen of the Universe Catholic Church, 1425 N. Sam Houston Boulevard, San Benito, Texas 78586.
Committal services will then follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park.
A special thanks to her beloved husband, Lupe Garza, Jr., for always being by Mercedes’ side every step of the way. She will be greatly missed, but the love and memories she shared with her family and friends will forever be engraved in their hearts.
You are invited to send your condolences to the family, sign the guestbook, and share your memories of Mercedes online at www.sanbenitofuneralhome.com.