Francisca Garcia

Mission, Alton, Austin - Francisca Escalante Garcia, age 86 born April 19, 1934, entered eternal rest on Tuesday May 26, 2020. Frances was born in Mission Texas to Ascencion Escalante and Justa Medellin Escalante. She was one of 10 children. During her childhood she was a sickly child and attended school until 8th grade and due to her illnesses wasn't able to finish school. During her young adult life she learned to drive and the family would make tamales to sell, her responsibility was to drive around Mission and take orders for the tamales. She would then deliver and collect funds while her mother and sisters were busy making the tamales. She also took up child care and became the nanny to the Scott Martin and Mary Alice Conway Martin children Rebecca, Mary Dale, Michael and David. She would travel with the Martin family during their vacations to take care of the children. Mr. Martin would later share many stories of Frances' trips and situations she went through with his children with her adult children which were treasured. Frances met Emerico Garcia and they took vows to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, to cherish, till death would they part on November 23, 1958 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission. They moved to Alton and began their lives in the establishment of the San Martin de Porres Catholic Church community. Together they had seven children and Frances was a full time, wonderful mother and loving wife. She had the support of her husband and children and earned her GED after six of her children were born from Alton Elementary which started adult classes for the community. Together, Frances and Emerico were very active in the San Martin de Porres Catholic Church from when it began building the church to what it is today. The family took care of the janitorial services of the church, parish hall and grounds for many years. Frances was a member of the San Martin De Porres Ladies Altar Society and served as Treasurer and President. Frances and Emerico were very involved with church activities and having their children participate by serving as altar girls/boys, lectors, catechism aides, adoration activities and Christmas plays. Frances was very supportive of her children in church and school activities always wanting her children to learn anything possible. In 1983 her husband suffered a debilitating stroke and Frances had to become the family provider and work in what she knew best and was great at, she took jobs cleaning homes, ironing, cleaning business offices, yard work, and caring for children. Ten years later a second debilitating stroke struck again and this time Frances had to provide 24 hour care to her husband. In December 1994, Frances and Emerico moved to Austin to live close to their daughters and lived there until their passing. While caring for her husband, she still managed to care for her grandson and great grandchildren. She easily made friends with neighbors and enjoyed visiting them and talking to them while they passed by and many children from the neighborhood got to know her when she took her grandsons to the bus stops. She enjoyed sitting outside on Halloween night giving out candy and seeing the neighborhood children dressed up---it was amazing to see how many children knew her and how excited they were to see her as well. Frances and Emerico renewed their vows on their 50th Wedding Anniversary on November, 2008 at San Martin De Porres Catholic Church, Alton, TX with a mass and reception hosted by their children, their spouses and grandchildren. Frances is survived by her children, Yolanda Garcia, Armandina G. Trevino, Nellyda G. Amaya (Jose F.), Edith G. Lomax all from Austin; her sons Emerico Jr. (Janie Lugo) from Alton, Eduardo (Esmeralda Ochoa) from Mission and Ernesto (Thelma Solis) from McAllen. Grandchildren: Monica, Maritza, Matthew, Mitchell Trevino; Stephanie, Eduardo Jr., Abigail Garcia; Bridget, Andrea Garcia; Xzaver Griffin and 14 great grandchildren; Sister Micaela Escalante and Brother Pedro Escalante (Paula Gomez+) both from Mission; numerous nieces and nephews of whom she was so fond of and welcomed new spouses into the family. She was preceded in death by her loving and caring husband of 50 years, Emerico Garcia, Jr, (April 2009), son in law-- Bobby A. Lomax, sister--Maria Margarita E. Villegas (Ramiro+) in 2019; sister-- Rosalinda E. Lopez (Jose+) in 2014; sister-- Maria Julia Villarreal (Rafael+) in 2010; sister--Herminia E. Villegas (Arturo Jr.+) in 1986; Father Ascencion Escalante in 1974; Mother Justa Medellin Escalante in 1970; infant siblings Tomas in 1938, Carmen in 1932, Alberto in 1924. Pallbearers: Emerico Garcia Jr., Eduardo Garcia, Matthew Trevino, Eduardo Garcia Jr., Xzaver Griffin, Jose F. Amaya. Honorary Pallbearer: Pedro Escalante. Viewing will be held at Virgil Wilson Mortuary on Wednesday June 3, 2020 and Thursday June 4, 2020 from 1:00pm to 9:00pm with a rosary at 6:30pm both evenings. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00am on Friday June 5, 2020 at 10:00 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 620 N. Dunlap Ave., Mission, TX with Fr. Roy L. Snipes, O.M.I. serving as celebrant. Burial will follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery, 18th Street & Holland, Mission, TX. Funeral Services have been entrusted to Virgil Wilson Mortuary, 2200 N. Conway, Mission Texas 956-585-2721.

Francisca Garcia

April 19, 1934 - May 26, 2020