On July 15, 2020, the good Lord called our beautiful Benita “Amy” Garza to her Heavenly Home to reunite with her daughter Grace Reed, her parents Lucio and Margarita Hernandez, and her brother Salvador Hernandez, who predeceased her. Amy loved, laughed, and prayed, and, throughout her life of faith in God, she was a blessing to us all. A strong, independent lady, Amy started working at a very young age, ending her formal schooling early with permission to help support the family after her daddy was seriously injured in a car accident. And help she did. No work, task, or job was beneath her. At times, she worked several jobs at once until she saved enough to pursue her chosen career. Through it all, she faithfully attended mass every Sunday, always impeccably dressed and extremely devoted to her Lord, Who was her guiding force and Savior. At every turn, her devoted sister Teresa, her champion, was always by her side. Completing her education while working full time, Amy paid her way through Vogue Cosmetology College in Corpus Christi, Texas. After graduation, for years she operated her own salon business, developing a loyal clientele. Amy’s career goal was met and her prayers answered. Amy then pursued a career change when the opportunity arose. Praised for a strong professional work ethic, she worked as the office manager for a pediatrician in Corpus Christi, which ignited an interest in a new profession. She then secured her RN degree at UT Nursing School and worked in the medical field for decades until she retired to relish the gifts God gave her after years dedicated to work. Amy enjoyed life. Always a lady, she was happily married for 27 years to her truest love, Lonnie Garza. She was very active with Lonnie’s VFW activities, including traveling throughout the country and socializing with VFW friends in various community events. A good dancer, she loved all kinds of music and relished family gatherings. A good listener, she genuinely loved meeting people, getting to know them, and making their day better for having known her. She was genuine in her sweetness, kindness, generosity, friendliness, cheerfulness, sympathy, forgiveness, loyalty, sincerity, and respect. Her ever present smile and easy laugh always made her the warmest person present at any event, large or small Amy relished the simple pleasures of life. She loved that a bird nested and raised a family in the front porch light of their new home, seeing it as a sweet gift from God that greeted her every morning. She loved lady bugs, bird houses, flowers, bright colors, redecorating, exploring new cities, trying new restaurants, helping anyone on a moment’s notice, phone talks, visitors at her home, savoring “los esnacks” with her doting sister, and spending time with her loving Lonnie. Above all, she loved family. Embracing all God set in her life’s journey, Amy met each day with gratitude and every challenge without complaint and with courage, perseverance, acceptance, and with the determination to live the best life she could because that was the Lord’s will. When the Lord suddenly summoned Amy, she said yes. Amy is dearly missed by her best friend, companion, and loving husband, Lonnie Garza. Cherishing the gift of her unconditional love is her upstanding grandson Caleb Reed, of whom Amy was so proud. Mourning her absence is her faithful sister Teresa Perez, her niece Michelle (Ray) Perez-Vega, and nephews Omar Perez and Xavier Hernandez, together with their children Joshua Vega, Ryan Perez, and Damian Perez. Treasuring her memory are Lonnie’s Godmother Eva Vallejo and Amy’s siblings in law Vivian (Lloyd T. III) Rothwell, Karen Keith, Sarita Martinez, Kerry (Kristi) Keith, and their children, Patricia Rothwell, Frank (Joy) Rothwell, Megan (Dannis) Henry, James Morgan V, Kevin (Elizabeth) Keith, April Keith, Ruben Martinez, Lewis (Jenny) Martinez, Jonathan (Leticia) Martinez, along with grand nieces and nephews and a host of relatives and friends. We know Amy loved us all, and she left knowing we loved her back. After a beautiful resurrection mass at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Taft, Texas, Amy was laid to rest beside her daughter Grace at Taft Memorial Park. We pray that our lovely Amy rest in peace and that God’s perpetual light shine upon her for a life well lived. We thank God for His gift of Amy in our lives.