Elia Rita Cantu
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Elia Rita Cantu, age 87, passed away on September 3, 2021, at her home in Spring, Texas. Elia was born on August 11, 1934, in San Antonio, Texas, to Eliseo and Elvira Ramirez. She grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas. Elia graduated from Roy Miller High School, The University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor's degree and St. Mary's University with a Master's degree. After graduation, she began her teaching career at South Park Junior High. Her love for reading led her to become a librarian at several schools in CCISD and, finally, a librarian consultant for the school district. She worked in CCISD for over 40 years until her retirement in 1995.
Elia married her high school sweetheart, Higinio J. Cantu Jr, on August 9, 1959. Elia and Higinio made Corpus Christi their home and were very involved in the community. They both were loving parents that devoted time to their children, Debra & Darrell. Elia was a loving and caring mom, whether running the kids to ballet lessons, piano lessons, Boy Scout meetings, or attending Carroll High School events as a family.
Elia will always be remembered for her social events at home, holiday gatherings with family, Easter gatherings at the family Double D Ranch, and her sense of elegance and class. Elia remained in Corpus after Higinio's death in 1992 and continued to work until her retirement in 1995. After retirement, she traveled the entire U.S., South America, and extensively in Europe, including Egypt and India, with her sister. Elia was very involved in her church St. Pius X and many social organizations within her community. She loved to read in her free time and go daily to the senior center. Elia moved to Spring, Tx, in 2014 after her health began to decline and remained there until her death.
Elia is preceded in death by her husband, Higinio J. Cantu, Jr., who predeceased her by 29 years, her parents, and her infant son, David Higinio Cantu.
Elia is survived by her daughter, Debra Martinez (Ruben) of Spring Texas, her son, Darrell Cantu and partner Max of Spring Texas, her four grandchildren, Heather Reves, Hailey Reves, Alexi Martinez, Jonathan Martinez, her sister, Elida E. Ramirez, her sister-in-law's, Amparo Montoya and Alice Cantu, and many nieces and nephews.
A private visitation will be held for family. A public funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, September 17, 2021 with the Rosary being recited at 10:00 am at St. Pius X Catholic Church and a mass immediately following with the interment to follow at Seaside Memorial Park.
Having the distinguished honor to serve as pallbearers are Darrell Cantu, Max Caycoya, Ryan Kucish, Jonathon Martinez, Ruben Martinez, Frank Montoya and Omar Montoya.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the H.J. Cantu Memorial Scholarship at Del Mar College Foundation. Contact information 101 Baldwin Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78413, 361-689-1317, www.delmar.edu/foundation