Iris Garcia, 92, of Clearwater, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus, on Saturday, April 13, 2013, at the Hospice House Woodside in Pinellas Park. FL.
Iris Garcia was born in 1920 to a farming family in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. In the mid 1930’s, the lands her father farmed were sold and the family relocated to New York City.
In the early 1940’s she met Armando, a Tampa boy who had gone to New York City to work at the 1939 World’s Fair. They married during WWII and, by the courtesy of the US Army; they spent short stints in Kentucky, Georgia, and Missouri. They were married for 56 years.
As the war concluded they returned to New York City where their first, second, third, and fourth children were born. Soon after the arrival of their fourth child in 1952, Armando and Iris bought a house in East Meadow, Long Island, NY. Five years later, their fifth child arrived.
Iris became a born again Christian in 1948 at the Glad Tidings Tabernacle in Manhattan, NY. Her love of Jesus and His Word has ever since been the focus and center of her life. A devoted wife and mother, Iris diligently and persistently directed her family’s focus on matters of the Faith. She joyfully toiled to ensure all she met experience the salvation and love of the Lord. She loved the Lord so dearly.
Other than working in a factory as part of the war effort, Iris never worked outside of her home. When she was not engaged in running her home and caring for her children, she studied scripture in both Spanish and English, spent much time in prayer and served others in need.
Iris Garcia’s life is a testimony to the greatest gift given by Him – the gift of love. She shared that gift with all those she encountered throughout her entire life. She never met a stranger. Her witness was bold.
She called herself a Five Star General because she loved her five children: Victoria (Armando) Valentin of Myrtle Beach, SC; Celeste Garcia of Surfside, FL; Armando (Margo) Garcia of Tallahassee, FL; Matti Garcia (Wayne) Friedt of Lakeland, FL and Ernest (Renee) Garcia of Tallahassee, FL. Today, all her children serve the Lord.
Iris is survived by eleven grandchildren: Jeannette Valentin, Suzzanne Thomson Quintero, Debra Spagnoletti, Natalie Reid, Kelley Cunningham, Jonathan Friedt, Stephanie Mullins, Nathan Garcia, Amanda LeVine, Pierce Brown, and Chet Brown.
She is also survived by 17 great-grandchildren: Aubrie Cunningham, Moorea Griffin, Claire Reid, Caleb Friedt, Sophia Quintero, Tori Cunningham, Adian Garcia, Michelin Griffin, Faith LeVine, Ava Quintero, Evan Garcia, Cathryn Reid, James LeVine, Hannah Friedt, Israel Mullins, Teagan Mullins, and Mark LeVine.
An Open House will be held on Tuesday, April 16, 2013, from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at the former home of Iris Garcia. The address is 1445 Belleair Road, Clearwater, FL, 33756.
Services will be held on Wednesday, April 17, 2013, at the Clearwater First Assembly of God Church, 1739 S Martin Luther King Ave Jr., Clearwater, FL, 33756. A visitation will begin at 10:00AM and be followed by the funeral service at 11:00AM. She will be interred at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park following the funeral service.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in Iris’ name to the United Family Outreach Ministry, 1739 S Martin Luther King Jr., Ave, Clearwater, FL, 33756.
Iris is now worshiping her Jesus in heaven, casting her heavily laden crown at the feet of Jesus. Iris loved to pray and loved to come together at prayer meeting to lift up the name of Jesus. Now as she has joined the great cloud of witnesses she will continue to pray and encourage from heaven. I can hear her say to me Marsha we must pray. Brings a smile to my face,
Such a beautiful woman of God.We were so blessed to know her and always enjoyed her smile.
We lost another great saint of God and I’m sure she’s singing shouting praises with the angels right now. We will surely miss you down here!
May she fly with the angels!
I am so sorry to hear of your lost. May God’s blessings be upon you and your family during this time.
May you be comforted by all the good memories that you have shared.
Matti and family,
Iam so sorry to hear of your loss and my heart is with you at this time. Memories are such wonderful reminders of good times with our loved ones.
Knowing that we serve a living God I pray your faith will comfort you and your wonderful memories will sustain you until you meet again. Pam Shanahan
Grandmommy was a fierce lover of God and people. I will remember her always. She and Grandpoppy live forever in my heart. Prayers for The God of all Comfort to embrace children and families and friends with peace and wholeness. RIP, Iris Garcia. Kiss Jesus for me.
Matti and Family, I am so sorry to learn of your recent loss. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that being remembered by your friends and colleagues provides some solace during this difficult time. May God bless and comfort you.
My God Give You Strenght In This Time Of Sorrow.
may God bless keep and comfort you.
Iris was a true inspiration to all those who had the priviledge of knowing her. I will miss her. God’s blessings to all the family.
Love, Sharon LeVine
Matti and family, may the good Lord watch and keep thee. So sorry for your loss.
Iris left such a sweet legacy. It is so visible in Matti, her children and their children. I love you all and mourn your loss but rejoice in the Lord knowing we can hold on to His promises!
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.Nahum 1:7
Some day life’s journey will be over.
And I shall reach that distant shore;
I’ll sing while entering heaven’s door,
“Jesus led me all the way.”
Sorry about the lost of your mother, may God continue to give you strenght in your time of need. Anita Daughtry
So sorry for you loss. She was a wonderful perosn and she will be greatly missed.
She was an outstanding woman, leaving behind a wonderful heritage in her family. My prayers and condolences to all the family. God Bless you all.
Mama, como siempre te decia desde que te conoci, terminaste la carrera y ahora alabas,y adoras y danzas a Nuestro Padre(como siempre te gustaba). Hace un año estabas conmigo en Bendiciendo a Israel y este año estas con El, que Bendicion tan grande me dio Dios de haberte conocido estos 10 años que llevo aqui en este pais, siempre te recordare, siempre te extrañare, siempre buscare “Mi Casita blanca”. Un dia volveremos a vernos Mama.
Mama, como siempre te decia desde que te conoci, terminaste la carrera y ahora alabas,y adoras y danzas a Nuestro Padre(como siempre te gustaba). Hace un año estabas conmigo en Bendiciendo a Israel y este año estas con El, que Bendicion tan grande me dio Dios de haberte conocido estos 10 años que llevo aqui en este pais, siempre te recordare, siempre te extrañare, siempre buscare “Mi Casita blanca”. Un dia volveremos a vernos Mama.
We will miss you Mom .. Love Vicki y Armando
I have so much love for my grandmother and will miss her very much. I am honored and incredibly blessed to be a part of this amazing family!
Dear Vicki and Family
With deepest sympathy on the passing of your beloved mother, Iris. May the memories you have sustain you in this time of grief, and may you be comforted by knowing she is resting in the lord’s presence. You are a daugter, I am sure, she was honored to call her own. Much love and blessings. Our deepest condolences to you and your family.
My condolences to the Garcia family. How fortunate you all were to have had your mother for such a long time. What a beautiful family you have. May God bless all of you.
Iris was a great friend and almost like a Mom to me for over 4 yrs while I lived in her home in Clearwater. She taught me about the persistence of prayer and the continuing love and worship we need to give to the Lord Jesus. She will always hold a special place in my heart for her care and generosity towards me in my greatest time of need. Love you, Iris! I know you are dancing in Heaven today!