Our beautiful mother, Emilia left this world, and went into the loving arms of our Lord and Savior.

Emilia Garcia, 82, was born and raised in Durango, Mexico on April 10, 1941.

She was married to Porfirio and raised 4 children and helped raise her grandson in California. Gabriel, Richard, Jorge, Emily & Jorge Anthony.

She was a loving and dedicated Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Godmother, Wife, Daughter and sister. She dedicated her time creating a lovely and welcoming home, she made the most delicious meals and happily invited anyone to the table even if it was the entire basketball team when the boys were in school.

She was known to always think of others while providing unconditional love & support.

Her favorite time of the year were the summers when we would visit her mom and dad in Mexico. She would give them so much love and affection and would shower them gifts. She was her happiest when she was with them, and we know she is rejoicing in heaven with them now.

As a grandmother she was pure love and very proud of her grandchildren Jorge Anthony, Jacqueline, Ricky, Victoria, Andres, Christian, Patrick Arthur and Natalie. The grandchildren will never forget all the fun and loving memories they had in her home. She would do everything and anything for them.

She always had stories of the olden times, warm-hearted and kind words, words of wisdom, and she enjoyed laughing at willy things. It would be fun going into her room and seeing all the family pictures and all her little collectibles. She would never pass up an opportunity to make people laugh. She was known to dance when she heard a good song. She would sing along with her beautiful voice to her favorite music.

She was our calm, our comfort, & truly one of the most gentle, generous & selfless souls we know.

She loved our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and instilled Christian values to her children and grandchildren. She had a special love and devotion for our Lady of Guadalupe. For years and years, she made sure she had beautiful fresh flowers next to our lady’s image at her bedside.

We are grateful for all the time God blessed us with her in our life. Her love and memory will always remain alive in our hearts.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 5:00 PM, with a rosary following at 6:00 PM at Harper Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, October 27, 2023 at 2:00 PM, at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 2309 A & M Avenue, San Angelo, TX 76904.

Sylvester "Syl" Garza, 89, of Grand Prairie, passed away early Thursday morning October 19, 2023. He was born on December 31, 1933, in San Angelo, to the late Pedro and Rosario Garza.

Syl served in the United States Air Force for 15 years active duty, during which he participated in the Korean War. He continued to serve an additional 5 years as a reserve officer. After his military service, he obtained a beautician license. He worked as a barber to support his family and pay his tuition at the Auto Mechanics Institute in California where he graduated as a master mechanic. Living in San Angelo, Syl had a successful career as a foreman at Mitsubishi Aircraft for more than 16 years, at which point he retired. He quickly realized that his working days were not yet done, so he founded and successfully ran All American Cab Company for more than 20 years.

Syl loved being outdoors in any form, and fishing all weekend was his idea of heaven. He also enjoyed working on cars and driving the open roads. He was a devoted father and loved doting on and spoiling his grandkids. Syl had a servant's heart shown by the fact that his door was always open, and he never turned away anyone in need. His presence will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Syl is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Amelia T. Garza; sister, Mary (Merle) Ott; children: Bernice Hayes, Darlene (Garnet) Coone, Syl (Norma) Garza, and June Perry; grandchildren: Amber (John) Sommers, Zachary Sutton, Autumn Armendariz, Brandon Coone, Allen (Jasmine) Coone, Aaron (Casey) Krieg, Dacotah (Wade) Osborne, and Addi Perry; great grandchildren Leilani, Zayne and Imani Sommers, Fionn and Riley Krieg; along with many other extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his daughter Sonia (Robert) Armendariz; grandson Kahlil Armendariz; brothers Ysidro, Pedro, and Antonio Garza; and sisters Jessica Galindo and Olivia Holler.

Public viewing will be from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM Thursday, October 26, 2023. Prayer service will be 10:00 AM Friday, October 27, 2023, at Robert Massie Riverside Chapel. Burial will follow at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Honor Flights, Wounded Warriors, Veterans Against Alzheimer's or Tunnel to Towers in memory of Sylvester Garza.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Yolanda Rose; the Fort Worth and Dallas Home Health VA: Adrian Raabe N.P., Tamila Ball R.N., and Lowana Walker R.N.; Right at Home: Stephanie Pacheco, Tierra Thompson, Ashayla Hawkins and all administrative staff; and Brookdale/ Medical City Hospice: Monya Foxe, Sabrina Barnett, Melissa Chandler, music and all additional staff.

Rest in peace, Syl Garza. Your dedication, service, and love for your family will always be cherished and remembered.
 

Rosa DeLeon Esparza, 84, of San Angelo, passed away on Wednesday October 18, 2023 in her home.

Public Viewing will be from 1:00 PM until 8:00 PM with the rosary being prayed at 6:00 PM Sunday, October 22, 2023, at Robert Massie Riverside Chapel. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 AM Monday, October 23, 2023, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church with Father Lazaro Hernandez, pastor, officiating. Burial to follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home.

Mrs. Esparza was born on January 16, 1939 to Gil and Fabiana Regino DeLeon in San Antonio. On August 17, 1956 she married Jesus Esparza in Lovington, New Mexico. Rosa worked as a housewife and housekeeper in Lubbock. She and Jesus moved to San Angelo in 1998 where she worked at San Angelo ISD up until her retirement. Rosa liked to walk daily and loved to exercise and be outside. Some of her favorite past times were watching novelas, baking, and working in her yard. Rosa loved spending time with her family especially her grandchildren.

Survivors include her two daughters, Teresa Tobias of San Angelo, and Elsa Guevara of Lubbock; a son, Johnny Esparza of Dallas; her four siblings, Janie Aguilar of Lubbock, Minerva and husband Arturo DeLeon of Ben Wheeler, Gil DeLeon, Jr. of Muleshoe, and Jose Deleon of Lubbock; four grandchildren, Jesse Jr. and wife Desiree Tobias, Lisa and husband Isai Jimenez, Michelle and husband JR Quiroz all of San Angelo, and Michael Andrew and wife Karen Guevara of Fort Worth; 12 great grandchildren, Olivia, Ethan, Nathan, Jade, Christopher, Joshua, Abby, Jaydyn, David, Fabian, Marcus and Benjamin; and a great-great granddaughter, Camila.

Rosa was preceded in death by her husband, Jesus M. Esparza; parents, Gil and Fabiana Regino DeLeon; and a grandson, David Tobias.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Ste 800, Miami, Florida 33131.

Rosa's pallbearers will be Johnny Esparza, Jesse Tobias, Jr., Michael A. Guevara, Fabian I. Sanchez, Christopher I. Lopez, and Ethan D. Tobias.

Bill R Brown, 94, of San Angelo Texas passed away on Thursday, October 19, 2023. He was born April 14, 1929, in Fluvanna, Scurry County, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents James Edward and Ruth Brown. He grew up in Midland Co. Texas on a dry land cotton farm doing his share of plowing with horses and mules at a young age. He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Neva Brown. He is also survived by two sons, Gordon Brown and wife Charlene of San Angelo, and Bill M Brown and wife Linda of San Angelo. In addition, he was blessed with two grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was a lifelong member and deacon of the Southern Baptist church. He and Mrs. Brown were members of Glen Meadows Baptist Church of San Angelo.

Mr. Brown worked in ranch management in West Texas, East Texas, and New Mexico for most of his working career. He loved good Angus cattle, a good horse, and a good piece of chocolate candy. He took great pride in his family and all their successes through the years.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 21, 2021, at Fairmount Cemetery in San Angelo. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to your church or favorite charity.

The family would also like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Solaris Hospice and Regency House for their great love and care of Bill. 

Mrs. Jerry L. Graves (Powell), of San Angelo, TX, gained her wings peacefully at home on October 18, 2023, surrounded by family. Jerry was born in San Angelo to Jerry and Eulla Powell. She was a majorette at Blackshear School and shared her vocal artistry on the Pat Atteberry show.

In 1963, she married Sargeant Coley Hudson Sr. They then settled in Toledo, Ohio‚ where she worked for Bingham Stamping and Lucas County Children Services.

In 1988, she married Harold Graves, and relocated to San Angelo, where they remained together until Harold‘s home going on December 25, 2018.

Awaiting Jerry's heavenly arrival are her parents, Jerry and Eulla Powell, sisters Lois D Powell and Priscilla Goodson, Brothers Joseph M. and Leonard E. Powell, her nephew Haward Massingill, as well as two grandchildren Oscar G Smith Jr. and Mechele N. Crenshaw and niece, LaShawndra Powell, also, an abundance of other family members.

Jerry is survived by our matriarch Susie M. Keith, daughters Jacqueline R. Smith and Andrala M. Crenshaw, sons Coley Hudson Jr. and Jerrell Graves (Chico); and a special daughter Darla Harris. Jerry was blessed with 20 Grandchildren, 8 Great-children, dear friend Mary Hasty and an abundance of family and friends.

She touched the lives of all that came in her path. Enjoyed several hobbies. Jerry and Harold were Bid Whist Champions at the Blackshear Reunion and she was an avid tennis enthusiast. Jerry was deeply loved and will be dearly missed.

Jerry will be available for viewing from 8:00 A.M., - 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at Harper Funeral Home.

 The Funeral Service will be 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at Harper Funeral Home. The Burial will follow at 2:00 P.M. at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene, TX.

Family and friends may share condolences and sign the online register book at www.harper-funeralhome.com.

Ann Tetley Howerton age 87 passed away in Round Rock Texas on October 18, 2023 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s. She was born to Raymond Tetley and Florence Boon Tetley on February 29, 1936, in Beaumont, Texas, a leap year baby.

She graduated from St. Anns Catholic School in 1954 and attended University of Texas from 1954 through 1958 graduating with a teaching degree in Biology. She taught Biology for 2 years in Beaumont and Bonham, Texas.

She married the love of her life Joel Howerton on August 21, 1959. He joined the FBI, and they began moving around the country. Minnesota, North Dakota, 10 years in Las Vegas, Dallas, and finally back to San Angelo.

She was an avid outdoors person, birdwatcher, gardener, and loved hiking in the western part of the US. While in Las Vegas, she attended UNLV taking classes in Geology. She spent years working as a Troop Leader for the Girl Scouts of Las Vegas, and the Boy Scouts of San Angelo, teaching them about rocks, birds, plants, bugs, and animals. She was extremely involved in the history of her family and her favorite place to visit was East Texas where her ancestors moved in the 1860’s.

She was preceded in death by her husband Joel Howerton in 2015, her parents, and her brother Bill Tetley. She leaves behind her four children, Katie Howerton Landry, Mitch of Round Rock, Martha Pattie, Ian, of Houston, Lacy Howerton Wolfe of Round Rock, and David Howerton, Tracy of Plano. She had 6 Grandchildren, Kevin Schniers, Megan Schniers Martin, Ethan and Eliza Pattie, Lauren Wolfe, Logan Howerton and seven great grandchildren, Gavin, Colton, Bristol, and Wesley Schniers and Hazel, Boone, and Graeme Martin, her brother-in-law Delnor Poss, nephews Nathan, Del, and Mark Poss, and a Cousin Teresa McNeil.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Kevin Schniers, Logan Howerton, Ethan Pattie, and great grandchildren, Gavin, Colton, Bristol, and Wesley Schniers, Hazel, Boone, and Graeme Martin, and Son in law Donnie Martin.

The service will be held on Monday the 23rd of October at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church. Burial will immediately follow at Lawnhaven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Boy Scouts of San Angelo or charity of your choice.

The family wants to thank Concho Hearts Hospice staff Barbra, Tiffany, and Jennifer for supporting her for the last year of her life. The care and emotional support they provided her went above and beyond.

Family and friends may share condolences and sign the online register book at www.harper-funeralhome.com.

Kristen “Kris” Gayle Hibbs Lake, 71, passed away at her home in San Angelo, Texas, in the early morning hours of Wednesday, October 18, 2023.

Kristen was born on September 1, 1952, in Wichita Falls, Texas, to William Ray Hibbs and Johnnye Joyce Claer Hibbs. She was the youngest of 2 children. Prior to attending elementary school, Kristen attended a fine arts kindergarten where she learned elocution, singing, and dancing. Although she described herself as a “shy child”, Kristen loved to perform on the stage and the more the audience clapped, the more encores she performed. Growing up in Wichita Falls, Texas, Kristen played the piano and was a member of the Blue Birds and the Campfire Girls. She attended Wichita Falls Rider High School where she played the flute in the band, sang in the choir, was on the debate team, and played tennis. The summer before her senior year of high school, her family moved to Snyder, Texas. Kristen graduated from Snyder Senior High School on May 26, 1970.

After graduating from high school, Kristen attended Texas Tech University. It was at Texas Tech where she met her best friend and the love of her life, Garry Lake. Kristen and Garry were married on May 20, 1972. They welcomed their first child, Melissa Dawn, on June 28, 1973. Following Garry’s graduation from Texas Tech in May 1974, the young family moved to Houston, Texas, where Garry would attend pharmacy school at the University of Houston for the next three years. While her husband was in pharmacy school, Kristen worked as a secretary for Tennessee Life Insurance Company. After her husband graduated from pharmacy school, they returned to West Texas living in Abilene and Lubbock before settling in San Angelo in the spring of 1980. On June 14, 1982, they welcomed their second child, Brian Patrick.

Kristen was very involved and played an active role in her children’s lives. She was a Brownie troop leader for Melissa’s Brownie troop; a Den Mother for Brian’s Cub Scout troop; a member of the PTA at McGill, Bowie, and Bonham Elementary Schools; served as a Room Mother for both of her children’s classes; and was Room Mother Chairman at Bonham Elementary School. She received recognition for her service on the PTA by being awarded the PTA Lifetime Membership Award. Kristen attended numerous dance recitals and civic ballet rehearsals and performances in support of her daughter as well as attending Friday night Bobcat football games to watch her daughter’s halftime performances as a member of the Tex-Ann drill team. She never missed her son’s soccer games, basketball games, baseball games, football games, nor tennis matches. Her voice could be heard a mile away above the crowd cheering her son on. Once her children had grown up, she volunteered at Christmas at Old Fort Concho. Kristen had also taught Sunday school at St. Luke’s Methodist Church and taught vacation bible school at Sierra Vista United Methodist Church. She was always curious and wanted to know more about different cultures and religions. Kristen could spend countless hours on the internet researching topics of interest.

Kristen was preceded in death by her parents, William Ray and Johnnye Joyce Hibbs; maternal grandparents, Johnnie W. Claer and Lola Corder Haynes Claer; paternal grandparents, Virgil and Zethel Hibbs; aunt, Doris Perry; and cousin, Linda Gunter. She is survived by her husband, Garry Lake of San Angelo; her daughter, Melissa Lake of San Angelo; her son, Brian Lake and wife, Julie, of Lubbock; two grandchildren: Dylan and Peyton Lake of Lubbock; a brother, William R. “Bill” Hibbs II and wife, Vickie, of Corpus Christi; many cousins, nieces, and nephews; and her precious fur baby, Bella.

It was Kristen’s wish to be cremated. A Celebration of Life service for Kristen will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at 2 PM at Harper Funeral Home. Pastor Kyle Toomire of Sierra Vista United Methodist Church will officiate the service.

The family sends their sincere appreciation to Dr. Cornelius Chinn, Solaris Hospice, and Quality Caring Hands for their loving care and compassion for Kristen.

Family and friends may share condolences and sign the online register book at www.harper-funeralhome.com.