Carmen Hernandez Galavis, age 94 years, 8 months, and 10 days, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Wednesday, August 8, 2018.
She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and mother in law. Carmen was born November 29, 1923, to Manuel and Aeropajita (Castillo) Hernandez, in Laredo, Texas. On October 24, 1942, she married the love of her life, Jesus Alegria Galavis in Corpus Christi, Texas and was blessed with 6 children. They were married for 37 years until his death on November 24, 1979, and she, remained faithful to his memory for the rest of her life.
Carmen was a member of Faith Assembly of God Church in Pasadena, and a member of the Woman’s Auxiliary, until her health began to decline. She was a woman of great faith and an inspiration to so many, especially her family. Many who met her quickly came to love her and called her mama or grandma. She loved family gatherings and was always ready to play bingo, dominoes or her favorite card game, gin rummy. She had a green thumb and loved gardening. You could often see family and friends bring her their wilted plants for her to revive. She loved her pecan trees and looked forward to November when you could find her outdoors gathering pecans for her family, neighbors and friends. She was easily embarrassed and often times you could hear her say “AYE RUBEN!’ at his jokes. She enjoyed traveling and never missed an opportunity to go. She enjoyed spending time in the country and never failed to watch for deer. She enjoyed cooking for church functions, holidays, and especially her family, when they visited; always making sure everyone was fed. She loved reading her bible and listening while Jessie, her youngest son, played his guitar and sang her favorite gospel songs.
Carmen is survived by her children: Juanita Gonzalez (Elias), Ruben Galavis (Sylvia), Joe Galaviz (Dora), Mary Drake (Lloyd), David Galavis (Gloria), and Jessie Galavis (Sylvia). Her legacy will continue to live on through her 17 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her dear brother Henry Hernandez, sister in law Janie and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jesus A. Galavis, parents, Manuel and Aeropajita Hernandez, grandsons Christian Andrew Galavis and Jeremiah Ruben Galavis, sisters Mercedes Perez, Blasita Hernandez, Guadalupe Villegas, Maria Natalia Hernandez, Maria De Jesus Arguelles, Socorro Gonsales, brothers Manuel Hernandez and Raul Hernandez.