Estella Maria Garza

Our beautiful mother, Estella M. Garza, went home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 5, 2026, at the wonderful age of 86. She passed peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by those who loved her so deeply.

Estella was born on April 6, 1940, to Alfredo and Trinidad Muniz. At the age of 18, she married the love of her life, Epifanio Garza. Together they built a large, close-knit family that became the center of her world. She was a strong and powerful woman who raised her children with unwavering dedication and quiet determination. She taught her daughters to fight for what they wanted and raised her sons to be strong and kind men.

Those who knew her will forever remember her radiating smile and kind eyes, and the way she was so often found with a baby in her arms. She was the ultimate mother bear: fiercely protective and quick to rise in defense of her children and grandchildren whenever they were hurt or in need. That same protective spirit lives on in those she raised. She made it easy to love her for anyone who had the chance to meet her.

Estella was preceded in death by her loving husband, Epifanio Garza; her spirited daughter, Anita Martinez; and her baby boy, Rolando Garza.

She is survived by her children:

Juan J. Garza, San Juanita Ramirez, Ramiro Garza, Rosana Raybal, Epifanio Garza, Estella Ramirez, Maria Ibarra, Esmeralda Hayek, Arnold Garza, Humberto Garza, Diana Higgins, and Jamie Lee Garza.

She was the proud grandmother of 37 grandchildren and great-grandmother of 29 great-grandchildren.

Her greatest legacy is the deep love of family she instilled in all of us. We find comfort knowing she is no longer in pain and is now at peace in the presence of our Lord.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

— Isaiah 40:31

Mom, now you are whole—free to walk, run, dance, and soar in heaven. We know you will keep everyone on their toes.

Services

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Ratliff Funeral Homes in Seminole, Texas, with the funeral service following at 1:00 p.m.

Family and friends are invited to gather at the Seminole Community Center following the services.