Elida Rivas Garza, 72, of Van Vleck passed away July 22, 2007. She was born February 27, 1935 in Edinburg, Texas to Dario Ruben Rivas and Catalina Blanco Rivas. She graduated from Mission High School in 1954 and attended Pan American University for three years to study Social Work. She moved to Van Vleck with her husband and their first two children in 1962. She worked for the Red Cross from 1979-1998; volunteered for the Economic Action Committee from 1977-1979; she volunteered for Van Vleck FFA Chapter from 1980-2000; was very active in all Van Vleck school committees; former 4-H leader; member of Van Vleck Volunteer Fire Department; volunteer EMT; volunteer for Bay City Annual Food Drive; a CCD teacher and choir member at church; and has three generations of Girl Scouts in her family because of her 15 year involvement and leadership with Girl Scouts.

Survivors include her father Dario Ruben Rivas of Mission, TX; husband Juan V. Garza of Van Vleck; daughters and sons-in-law Catalina G. & James P. Silva of Conroe, Cynthia G. & Juan A. Delgado of Wharton, Corina G. & Michael D. Weaver of Hobbs, New Mexico, Celeste G. & Juan Cortez II of Van Vleck, Christella G. & Jesse Rodriguez of Wadsworth, Carolina G. & Raymond Trevino, Jr., Carmen G. & Adrian Escobedo of Van Vleck and Eva Rivera of Uvalde; sisters Rebecca Vincent of California and Lucilla Martinez & Ratalia Rodriguez both of Mission; brothers Dario Rivas, Jose Rivas, Ruben Rivas, & Roberto Rivas all of Mission; sixteen grandchildren and three step-grandchildren.

A rosary will be recited at 7:00 PM Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. Mass will be 2:00 PM Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Rev. Casey Jarzombek officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Michael Weaver, Jesse Rodriguez, Adrian Escobedo, Juan A. Delgado, Raymond Trevino, Jr., John Anthony Rodriguez, Brian Vega and Johnathan Rivera. Honorary pallbearers include her brothers and James P. Silva. Arrangements with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City. 979-245-4613.