Viola Cantu

Viola Garcia Cantu, 96, of San Benito, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 28, 2024 with her family by her side.

She was born August 25,1927, in Carrisitos, Texas to Porfirio Garcia and Arminda George Garcia. Viola graduated in 1945 from San Benito High School, then went on to graduate from Durham Business School. She married Abelardo E. Cantu on June 21, 1948 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in San Benito, Texas.

Viola worked as a secretary for San Benito Bank and Trust Company, then followed by working at Dolly Vinsant Memorial Hospital as a business office manager until her retirement.

Viola loved to sew. Her talent ranged from making her children’s clothes, formals, twirling uniforms, as well as curtains and quilts. She also loved to bake. She was known for the best apple pie, biscuits, and bread pudding.

Viola was a beautiful, graceful lady filled with love and kindness. She was a gentle soul with a servants heart, and she demonstrated those qualities in her role as a wife and mother. She has left us with so many precious memories filled with love and laughter. “Aye…Wercas Cabronas!”

She was preceded in death by her parents Porfirio Garcia and Arminda George Garcia, her husband, Abelardo E. Cantu, her sister Delia George Garcia and newborn son, Jaime Cantu.

Left to cherish Viola’s memories are her brother, Humberto Garcia (Lana), her children, Edward Rene Cantu (Pam), Cynthia Yvonne Chambo (Beau), Arminda Plata (Eliud), and Diane De La Rosa (David).

Her grandchildren are Jessica Cantu Bernett, Amanda Cantu Burgess, Kevin Gene Peoples, Kambree Dawn Nelson, Chelsea Nichole Chambo, Matthew Aaron Plata, Michael Anson Plata, Sasha Rae Garcia, Tessa Danae Flores, Sarah Jade Garcia, David De La Rosa Jr., Maegan Lauren De La Rosa, and 21 great grandchildren.

The family would love to extend a special thanks to her granddaughter, Sasha Garcia, and her wonderful staff at Changing Seasons of Castroville.

The Cantu family will receive friends and relatives on Thursday, February 1, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.  A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7 o’clock Thursday evening.  A funeral liturgy will be celebrated on Friday, February 2, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. in the funeral chapel.  Following the service, Viola will be laid to rest at Mont Meta Memorial Park.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Matthew Plata, Michael Plata, David De La Rosa Jr., Joe Flores, Kailey Delgado, and Kambree Delgado.  Honorary Pallbearers are Humberto Garcia, Rene Cantu, Eliud Plata, David De La Rosa, and Beau Chambo.