Obituary of Diamantina B. Perez

Diamantina “Tina” Perez, 67, passed away on Friday, August 24, 2018 at home in Rockledge, FL surrounded by family. Tina was born on April 19, 1951 in Corpus Christi, Texas.  She graduated in 1969 from W.B. Ray High School, where she excelled at art and painting on canvas. She was a people person with an open heart and mind who never met a stranger. Throughout her life as a wife, mother, real estate agent, sales & marketing representative, art teacher and activities director for memory care patients, she stressed the importance of an education for her kids above all else and to always remember The Golden Rule. Whether selling advertising for the South Texas Catholic newspaper, selling radio ads for K-99 99.1FM, or teaching “Art for Healing” classes, her mantra was “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” A strong Catholic woman, Tina sought out religious communities, such as the Legion of Mary at the Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano in California and the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) in Corpus Christi, Texas to contribute her time and talents.  She attended mass regularly (with kids in tow) and relished in the recitation of the Holy Rosary every chance she got. Having a limited college experience, Tina was most proud that her children both achieved Bachelor of Science degrees. And, like any proud mama bear, she’d let everyone who would listen to her know about it! Tina loved spending time with the elderly, volunteering as an art therapy instructor at Mt. Carmel Home in Corpus Christi, and her best years were spent with her most cherished nephews, nieces, and of course grand-kids, whom she nicknamed Rock Hound #1, #2…and so on. She shared her love of art, rocks, fossils, sea shells, classical music, travel and adventure with her grandchildren at every opportunity. And, she taught everyone how to capture the joy in each moment. Tina is survived by her daughter, Delisa Garcia Layne (Andrew) of Rockledge, FL; her son, Israel Garcia (Maria) of Corpus Christi, TX; grandchildren, Ashlyn, Meghan, Diego, Noe, Belize, Jase, Matthew and Hannah; great granddaughter Ava; her sister, Gloria Vasquez (Armando); her brother, James Villarreal (Brenda); her sister, Veronica Perez; her sister, Valerie Perez; her brother, Edward Perez and many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  She is preceded in death by her mother and step-father, Reyes and Jose Villarreal; her father, Telesforo Perez; and her brother, Jose Villarreal, Jr. Visitation will be held from 5PM to 9PM on Friday, September 7, 2018 at Guardian Funeral Home and Cremation, located at 5922 Crosstown Access Rd, Corpus Christi, TX 78417, with a Holy Rosary to be prayed at 7PM that evening.  Tina loved to pray the rosary each day, for peace and for each person who asked for prayers.  It will be wonderful to pray one for her.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10AM on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church.  She will be laid to rest at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Corpus Christi, TX.