Elizabeth 'Lisa' M. Garcia. February 27, 1965 - May 5, 2013.

ELIZABETH "LISA" M. GARCIA McALLEN - On Sunday, May 5, 2013, we lost a dear friend, Elizabeth "Lisa" M. Garcia.

Lisa was warm, caring, and a treasure to many. She is preceded in death by her father, Lorenzo Garcia. Lisa is survived by her mother, Ercilia Z. Garcia, of Pharr; a brother, Javier (Connie) Garcia, of Houston; her companion, Gary C. Hughes, of Monticello, Iowa; two siblings, Anna M. Garcia, Gerardo R. Garcia; a nephew, Eric; and three nieces, Jennifer, Lauren and Sabrina.

Lisa received a B.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin in 1987 and a J.D. from Texas Southern University in 1992. She served as a briefing attorney at the Texas Court of Appeals for the Second District and continued serving the people of Texas as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas, an attorney with the Office of the State Comptroller of Public Accounts, and a prosecutor in the Hidalgo County District Attorney's Office. After a stellar record in public service, Lisa entered private practice. Since 2004, she practiced civil and personal injury litigation with the predecessors to VLRH Law.

As an attorney, Lisa exemplified the best qualities that anyone could hope to find in the legal profession, without the vices. She was smart and diligent, gave sound advice and strong representation. She treated everyone with professionalism and approached each court with dignity and respect. Lisa was a sitting member of the Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, Inc. (TLRA) Board of Directors. She also provided pro bono assistance to Volunteer Legal Services of Texas (VLS) and served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Children.

Throughout her life, Lisa was selfless in giving her time, whether by offering her strength when listening to another's problem or mentoring future generations. She tirelessly worked for the greater good of her community. There is no doubt that the poise, confidence, and passion that Lisa has shown us lives on in the Valley. Last, but certainly not least, we were all blessed by her friendship. Lisa embraced life and embraced us with her warmth, contagious smile and positive outlook. She stood as a solid pillar of selflessness and a monument to unconditional love with her charitable heart. She was luminous – a giving, loving ball of sunshine. Lisa lived a beautiful life, leading us by example.

As we ache with the loss of our lovely friend, we rejoice in who Lisa was, with her bright eyes, big smile and generosity of spirit. We are better people for the privilege of having known her. Lisa, in your brief life you left this world a better place.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. Celebration of Life Thursday, May 9, 2013, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 10, 2013, at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the scholarship endowment Lisa created to benefit future RGV bilingual law students at: UT Austin University Development Office PO Box 7458 Austin, TX 78713 It is also possible to donate online at: http://giving.utexas.edu/ Please specify the donations are for the Elizabeth M. Garcia, Endowed Presidential Scholarship. Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.

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