ANGELICA 'KELA' GARCIA
Angelica "Kela" Garcia as she was affectionally known, was born in Tabasco, Texas on February 7, 1923. She grew up during the Great Depression, the youngest of eight (8) children to humble, but proud parents. At a time and place where young girls were expected to be homemakers, Kela wanted more.
She sought to learn how to play the piano, so she bartered with the local piano teacher, trading milk from their dairy cow in exchange for piano lessons. She won poetry recital contests in elementary school and used to recite Joyce Kilmer poems, her favorite poet.
While working in Falfurrias, TX on December 7, 1941, Kela learned of the Pearl Harbor attack. She returned home to her family that very day. After her two brothers, Pablo, and Roberto, enlisted to serve overseas in the Army, Kela insisted that she, too, wanted to serve her country.
She passed a civil service examination and was accepted for employment as an airplane machinist in Marfa, TX, where she became a member of the iconic Rosie the Riveter's brigade. She remained there until the end of World War II.
On September 6, 1947, she married her future husband, Felipe Garcia, Sr. They had nine children.
She was predeceased by her husband Felipe Garcia, Sr., Nora Linda Garcia (deceased as a child), parents Melecio and Andrea Gonzalez, and her seven siblings, Francis Garza, Manuela Jackson, Aurora Cavazos, Roberto Gonzalez, Pablo Gonzalez, Arturo Gonzalez, and Rodolfo Gonzalez.
Left to treasure her memory are her children: Ramon Garcia (Angie Ramirez), Thelma Garcia (Alex Alamillo), Felipe Garcia Jr., Roberto Garcia (Melissa), Nora G. De Leon (Raul), Dalila A. Garcia, Leticia Garcia, Romeo Garcia, and her much-loved fur baby, Frida. She is survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Kela's proudest accomplishment was her family, which continues to multiply and thrive.
Kela's passions included: her yearly excursions to Las Vegas where she was a whiz at the slot machines; playing chalupa at the adult daycare center; traveling to New York City and Chicago to see the latest Broadway shows and to several countries in Europe, and watching all types of sports, especially her favorite teams-the Cowboys and the Astros.
We pay tribute to our mother Kela, a fighter and a survivor, the loving matriarch of our family, whose life is an example of extraordinary service, great tenacity, and extraordinary love.
We are at peace, knowing that Kela and Felipe are together again along with the rest of her family and friends.
On Kelas's behalf, we would like to thank Dr. Monzer Yazji and Associates, Dr. Ivan Melendez, Step by Step Home Health, OpusCare of Texas and Paseo de Angelitos Adult Daycare, as well as, her caretakers: Berenice Rodriguez, Rosa Alanis, Mireya Chavez, our family friend, Rudy Gaona, and her longtime hairdresser, Rose Gonzalez.
At the family's request, all services are private due to increased Covid case spread.
Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg, Texas.