Viola H. Garcia

We grieve the loss of our beautiful and wonderful mother Viola H. Garcia, 91 years of age. She inspired us and loved us. She inspired so many of her students as a professional educator. When her toddler son contracted polio during the epidemic she went to college to Texas A&I University in Kingsville and got her Bachelor of Science degree graduating in 1955. Years later she returned to get her master’s degree commuting every day from Alice, Texas while raising her children with her husband Hermilo. Widowed in her 40’s, that education was a saving grace for her young family. Mother had a vibrant, warm personality that constantly made everyone who knew her smile. She was a member of Catholic Daughters of America for 50 years. A member of NEA, TSTA and AAUW, St. Patrick Church, Les Amis. She prayed her rosary daily and reminded her family the importance of faith, church, country, and family. Always a teacher, she taught us to live life joyfully, respectfully and lovingly. She will be missed. Mrs. Garcia is preceded in death by her parents, Alfredo and Julia Herrera; husband, Hermilo Garcia; son, Jose Hermilo Garcia. She is survived by her children, Margarita “Margie” (Matias Saenz III) Saenz, Gloria (Phillip✝) Thomas, and Viola C. (Dr. Reynaldo) Godines. Mrs. Garcia is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Marisol Saenz, Monalisa Saenz, Veronica (Dr. Jordan) Lao, Robert Godines, Mary Anne Godines, and Gabriella Marie Godines. Services will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Ben Bolt, TX at 12 noon. Burial will follow at the Garcia Family Cemetery Las Calaveras. Family and friends will gather for reunion with all nieces bringing homemade cakes and pies at El Charro restaurant in Alice, Texas. In lieu of flowers donations can be mailed to St. Joseph’s Church, 801 South Reynolds St. Alice, TX 78332. If you would like to sign the guestbook or send private condolences, you may do so at www.hillsidefuneral.com Arrangements are under the directions of Hillside Funeral Home, 310 Hillside Road.