Minerva Garcia, 78, was called home by her Heavenly Father on Friday, July 23, 2021. She was born in Kingsville, TX on November 11, 1942 to Concepción and Refugio Garcia.  Her childhood was spent among family in the small towns of Kingsville, Chapman Ranch, Aransas Pass and finally, in Corpus Christi. Growing up as part of a large family in the country instilled a love of nature and the outdoors that she carried with her throughout life.

In 1961, she graduated from Roy Miller High School and was soon employed as a Ward Clerk at Spohn Hospital where she worked for several years. From an early age, Minerva developed a deep devotion to the Catholic faith. As a young adult, she became part of the Legion of Mary at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.  That is where she met Eliseo, the man she would fall in love with and marry in 1968.  They would remain married for 53 years, raise five children in a stable and loving home, and provide a shining example of true love and commitment to all who knew them.

Minerva was devoted to her family.  She loved big family get togethers, but was also happy staying home with her own husband and children. The family home was often filled with song and laughter, and with the savory scents of onion and garlic from supper simmering on the stove. Minerva was also well-known for her delicious sugar cookies and homemade empanadas that appeared at many family celebrations, church pot-lucks and tucked into countless college care packages.

The second of 14 children, Minerva was always surrounded by family. She loved her siblings and her many nieces and nephews dearly. She especially enjoyed being around children and had a patience and understanding of them that was truly a gift. She also had a gentle wisdom and kindness to her interactions with everyone. Her calmness and common sense created a safe and loving atmosphere in her household and everywhere she went.

She is survived by her husband, Eliseo, daughters Theresa (Jose) Garcia-Ruiz, Celina Garcia, Gracie Garcia; son Andres Garcia; grandchildren Sabrina Garcia, Olivia Rodriguez, Sophia Garcia Talbott; great-grandchildren Brooklyn, D.J. and Mariah DeLaPaz. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Lucy (Crescencio) Saenz, Beatrice (Ernesto) Silva, grandchildren Maria Juanita Talbott, Jordan Talbott and her son, Javier Refugio Garcia.

Public visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at Guardian funeral home with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 6:30 p.m.  Public visitation will continue on Thursday mornig starting at 9:00 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at 12:30 p.m. on T hursday, July 29, 2021 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.  Burial will follow in Rose Hill Memorial Park.