Rafaela Salazar Garcia, 80, of Bay City passed away July 14, 2007 at her residence. She and her twin sister were born August 18, 1926 in Cuero, Texas to Pasqual Guerrero Salazar & Victoria Ruiz Mireles Salazar. She was a wonderful mother, wife and sister who worked everyday of her life. As a young woman she often took her sons with her to pick cotton in the fields. Rafaela later spent 23 years working as a nurse's aid at Matagorda General Hospital and the Legacy where she shared her loving spirit with others. Her devotion to family and willingness to sacrifice kept all of her children in school. Even in death her gracefulness & quiet strength brought growth and solidarity to her family.

Survivors include her husband Praxedes "Prexie" Garcia, Sr.; sons Jose Luis Garcia & wife Imelda of El Paso, Marion Garcia & wife Rachel of Bay City, Praxedes "Prexie" Garcia, Jr. & wife Debbie of Galveston, Frankie Garcia & wife Wandy of Humble, Jesse Garcia & wife Anna of West Columbia and Ray Garcia of Sherman Oaks, CA; daughter Gloria Crouch & husband Jade of Bay City; sister Benilde Mendez of Robstown, TX; brothers Roman Martinez, Mariano Salazar and Juan Salazar all of Houston; seventeen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter Tomasita Garcia.

A rosary will be recited at 6:30 PM Sunday, July 15, 2007 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. Mass will be 10:00 AM Monday, July 16, 2007 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church with Rev. Gerry Cernoch officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck. Pallbearers will be Concepcion Martinez, Joey Salazar, Johnny Ray Salazar, Steve Garcia, Reymundo Garcia and Marion Brett Garcia. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.taylorbros.net. Arrangements with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City. 979-245-4613.