Stilita “Stella” DeLeon Garza, age 77, of Portland, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on January 5, 1949, in Corpus Christi, Texas to Damacio and Carolina Torres DeLeon.
Stella lived a life defined by strength, kindness, quiet faith, and a deep love for her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and caring for those she loved was the center of her world. Stella enjoyed working puzzle books, shopping, and spending treasured time with her family. She had a quick wit, a warm laugh, and a steady presence that made others feel safe and loved. She left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her, and her love will continue to live on through the family she cherished so deeply.
Stella was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Garza; her parents, Damacio and Carolina DeLeon; and her sisters, Dominga Balderaz and Diega Nunez. She is survived by her daughters, Benita (Samuel) Adamez, Cassandra Ansualda, and Bernadine Garza (Richard) Clark; her grandchildren, Samantha (Samuel) Heggie, Zoë (Ashley) Adamez, Joshua Sanchez, and Michael Sanchez; her great-grandchildren, Alexis Heggie, Matteo Sanchez, and Miguel Sanchez; her sisters, Kelly (Arnold Cummings) Baker and Janie (Ramon Quezada) Gonzales; her brothers, Moody (Rosa) DeLeon and Jesse (Erika) DeLeon; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Stella’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.
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This obituary was published by Sumner Funeral & Cremation – Gallatin.
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