As a child and young adult, Rachel’s family were migrant farm workers.  She often recalled the difficult times of traveling long distances following the crops.  Education was very important to Rachel and she persevered and became a graduate of San Marcos High School, Class of 1948.  She worked at Care Inn Nursing Home, the Brown Schools and finished her career as an instructional assistant with the San Marcos Consolidated ISD.  Her main priority was always the family and she spent countless hours providing care, love and support for them.     

Rachel is preceded in death by her husband, Alfonso M. Garza and her son Rene Nicolas Garza.  She is also preceded in death by her parents, Victor Tamez and Anita Reyes Tamez, her brother Raul Tamez and sisters Elvira Tamez, Frances Arredondo and Margaret Leitz.

Rachel is survived by her children Richard H. Garza, Amanda Garza Ruiz (Ruben) and Mario A. Garza (Rosemary); grandchildren Rachelle Garza, Marcos Garza (Laura), Richard Ruiz, Raquel Maldonado (Michael), Mari Garza, Allen Garza, and Matthew Garza; five great-grandchildren Madasyn Torres, Catherine Lopez, Zachary Lopez, Raelyn Maldonado and Michael Maldonado and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Thursday, June 20, 2019 from 2:00-8:30 p.m. at Thomason Funeral Home in San Marcos.  The Holy Rosary will be recited that evening at 7 p.m. in the chapel.  Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 21, 2019 at St. John Catholic Church with Father John Boiko officiating.  Burial will follow at Memory Lawn Memorial Park in Martindale, Texas.

Pallbearers will be Marcos Garza, Allen Garza, Matthew Garza, Richard Ruiz, Michael Maldonado and Zachary Lopez. 

Funeral Arrangements are entrusted to Thomason Funeral Home, 2001 Old Ranch Road 12, San Marcos, Texas, 512-396-2300.