Dates
Well, it is obvious that if you are reading this I am gone. While I have your attention, let me share my story. I was born in New York City January 25, 1950. My parents are Wilfredo De Jesus, who unbelievably, outlived me and is still alive at 95 years old and my mom Carmen, who is deceased. I also had a sister, Dory Hayes, who is deceased as well.
In 1969, I met Gabriel Garza, a handsome young man from Texas and fell in love with him. We married after a 3 1/2 year courtship. After 3 years of living in upstate New York, I got pregnant with Lisa, my beautiful daughter. Later when Lisa was born, we relocated to San Angelo, TX. At first, I was reluctant to move but have come to love it. (It was also less expensive to live here than in New York). When we moved here, we were sort of a unique couple for west Texas. Me a "black" Puerto Rican and Gabriel a "white" Mexican. Some would even say, "What did he see in her"? However, when you came to know me, didn't you agree with him? I was a beautiful person. He would often refer to me as his "ROSE FROM SPANISH HARLEM". By the way, I was born and raised in Spanish Harlem, get it?
When we got married, Gabriel told me I would never have to get a job, just be a homemaker. Hey, I was more than happy to do that! However, when we had to put a can opener on lay-a-way at Montgomery Ward, I thought, I had better get a job. I worked at a bank for a year and then joined Gabriel at GTE/VERIZON and worked there for 22 years, where I made many good friends that still remembered me after years of being retired. I guess it was my honest and witty personality that made an impact on them.
While all of this was going on, my daughter gave birth to a handsome son, our only grandson, Jordan. We were fortunate to see him grow from a boy to a young man in our home.
Additionally, we were blessed to raise in our home another beautiful daughter, actually my first cousin, Jessica. For someone who thought she would never have children my house was filled rather quickly.
My greatest joy, though, was having served Jehovah God for over 50 years. By serving Him, I was able to witness to countless people in both New York and Texas. I came to be part of a family of over 8 million fellow servants of Jehovah around the world.
In the beginning of my story, I mentioned that I was gone, but am not. While it is true I am not with "y’all" now, I continue to exist in God's memory, waiting for his call and I will answer (Job 14:15). That is when we will meet up again in a paradise here on earth, where God will “wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore”. (Rev. 21:4).
My family and I would like to thank all the family, friends, and caregivers that were involved in my care both in the hospital and at home. Those family members that I had the opportunity to visit with in my last days have clear instructions from me…don’t let me down!
Funeral services will be Saturday, June 3, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 2021 Pulliam Street, San Angelo, TX 76905.