Micaela “Mickey” Lara Garza

Micaela “Mickey” Lara Garza, 89, of Beaumont, entered the kingdom of Heaven on Monday, June 26, 2023. She was born on January 22, 1934 in Edroy, Texas to Gonzala Hernandez and Agustin Lara. She lost her father at the age of three but Micaela regarded her Uncle Marcos as a father figure in her life and cherished the bond she shared with her Tio Marcos.

Mickey would eventually meet Jose Garza and the two married in May of 1960. They moved from the Rio Grande Valley and made Beaumont, Texas their home.  Thus began the journey that would shape the family tree and lifelong legacy that thrives today.

Mickey and her husband were blessed with eight children; six daughters and two sons. They raised their family in love, faith and strength; bonds that today hold together still.

Mickey was wise beyond years, a matriarch, a leader and an advocate. She was a devout Catholic, a passionate “Cursillista” and a pillar of strength. Her circumstances did not stop her from living her life to the fullest. She triumphed against many obstacles that were meant to stop her in her tracks.  She was an overcomer and was blessed to live a long, colorful life. With permission from Bishop Galante, she and Father Luis became involved in the Spanish-speaking Cursillo movement, taking local candidates to the weekend Cursillo retreats in Houston.

Mickey loved family gatherings, cooking, singing and “bailando” (dancing). She took pride in her Mexican American heritage and was instrumental in starting “Las Posadas” at Cristo Rey Church in the early 1980’s, a tradition that is still carried out to this day.  She was a brilliant planner and teacher.  One year she planned Las Posadas within her own family.  This she did, to teach her family so that they would carry on this important tradition with their families and friends.  Each Christmas Eve, she would gather her family at her house for the “Acostada” of the baby Jesus.  In her last years she would involve the great-grandchildren to carry out the roles of the “Padrinos” (God Parents) for the baby Jesus.

In her lifetime, Mickey helped many people, led many efforts, organized many “tamaladas” and “bailes” at the church.  Mickey received many honors in her lifetime. In 2001, she was awarded the Henry B. González Hispanic Leadership Award, and in 2008 was a Pioneering Women “Women with A Cause” Honoree.

She was a woman of great faith and an arduous intercessor.  Mickey prayed for her family through many illnesses, hospitalizations and tumultuous times. Freshly made coffee and stories of days gone by will be missed by all who were fortunate to share conversation with her at the dinner table. She was a friend, mentor and teacher to many. Her family loved her youthfulness, her love of God, her contagious laughter, her warm hospitality, her love of life, and how she embraced people without judgment or prejudice.

Mickey is survived by her siblings Candy Alvarez and Alejandro Alvarez; her children, Maria Isabel Montiel and her husband Martin, Juan Manuel Cardoza and his wife Belinda, Yolanda Prowse and her husband Clive, Sylvana Marie Novar and her husband Lorenzo, Alma Alicia Garza-Cruz and her husband Antonio, Maria Esmeralda Douget and her husband Lenis, Florencia Gonzala Padilla and her husband Frank; 15 grandchildren Carmen Vega (Arturo), Felicia Nunez (Roberto), OC Alfaro (Sonia), Alexus Montiel, Stephanie Carter, Joey Carter, LJ Cardoza, Jorge Lopez Jr., Sabrina Zapata (Valentin), Cecilia Young (Jason), Fatima Galvan (Sergio), Christian Cruz, Angel Douget, Micaela Padilla and Emily Padilla; 23 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Agustin Lara and Gonzala Hernandez; her infant son, Angel Garza; her brother, Mike Alvarez; her wonderful husband of 52 years, Jose Angel Garza; her beloved granddaughter, Sandra Gomez; and her beloved great-grandson Manuel “Manny” Cardoza.

Memorial contributions for Mrs. Garza may be made to Texas Children’s Hospital, Office of Philanthropy, Ste. 6226, PO Box 300630, Houston, Texas 77230-0630 and St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.

A gathering of Mrs. Garza’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with a Christian Vigil at 6:00 p.m., and her Rosary to be recited at 6:30 p.m., Friday, June 30, 2023, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 1, 2023, at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson St., Beaumont, with her interment to follow at Haven of Rest, 13851 US-90, Beaumont.