Frances A. Garcia, a lifelong resident of the Gila Valley, currently of Thatcher, entered into eternal life Wednesday morning, January 25, 2017, at her residence. She was 94.
Frances was born November 5, 1922, to Pablo and Francisca Rodriguez. She was the youngest of thirteen children and lived all her life in Thatcher, first with her widowed mother and siblings, then with her husband and family until her passing.
Frances attended and graduated from the Thatcher schools and was a graduate of the Gila Junior College of Graham County. She married Trinidad Garcia in 1946 and celebrated 52 years of marriage at the time of his death in 1998.
Frances worked bookkeeping and secretarial positions throughout her career; Thatcher Post Office, Don Pace Hardware, J.C. Penney’s, the Kimball and Greenhalgh Firm and Valley National Bank until she retired from Eastern Arizona College.
She was very strong and active in her faith as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Frances served as Relief Society President and in numerous other positions and church callings.
Frances leaves behind: her two daughters, Mary Lou Ybarra (Ernest), of Safford, and Paula Garcia, of Scottsdale; her son, Jose T. Garcia (Bridget), of Thatcher; and her grandchildren, Richard Ybarra (Jodi), Dawnee Reedy (Aaron), Jerry Ybarra, Michael Ybarra and Brooklyn Blondet; her great-grandchildren, Jessica and Levi Ybarra, and Victoria, Ryan and Anabella Reedy. Frances was predeceased by: her parents, a daughter, Victoria, in 1960; her husband, Trinidad, in 1998; six sisters, including Ignacia; and six brothers, including Jacob, Ephraim and Lucas.
Funeral services for Frances will be conducted Thursday morning, February 2, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., at the Temple View Central L.D.S. Chapel by Bishop Mike Nelson, of the Thatcher Fifth Ward. Concluding services will follow in the Thatcher Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, February 1, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at the Vining Funeral Home and Thursday morning from 9:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m., at the Temple View L.D.S. Chapel Relief Society Room.
The family suggests donations in Frances’ memory be made to the Mount Graham Hospice, 1600 20th Avenue, Building E, Safford, Arizona 85546
Arrangements are entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.
