Esmeralda Escobedo, 93, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, in Houston, Texas. Born September 28, 1929, in Falfurrias, Texas to Antonia and Pablo Garcia, Esmeralda was the fourth of six children.

She began her career in nursing in 1945 and joined St. Joseph Hospital in Houston, TX as an assistant nurse. Esmeralda was naturally drawn to and had a love for nurturing and caring for people. Her kind, sweet, gentle, patient, and caring nature was known by all. Esmeralda worked continuously for over forty-eight years. Along the way, she raised six daughters and one son with her husband, William.

Esmeralda and her beloved husband, William M. Escobedo of Houston, Texas, were married on September 5, 1953. They built a beautiful life full of love and enjoyed forty wonderful years of marriage together. They were inseparable. Their home was always filled with family – their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, brothers, and sisters. In 1954, Esmeralda's loving husband began a study of the Bible and quickly thereafter, she joined him, and they began studying the Bible together as a family. One year later, in 1955, they were both baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Esmeralda became an active teacher of the Bible herself and continued faithfully in her ministry up until her passing. She had a heartfelt appreciation of Bible teachings and took immense pride when given the opportunity to talk about the Bible and the promises of hope and peace that it holds for mankind's near future.

Esmeralda was a true example of faith, she was dedicated to her family, and she taught all those around her what love, humility, and support looks like every step of the way. She shared her great wisdom with all, she was strong, tireless, full of determination, incredibly organized, and kept meticulous records. Esmeralda loved to dance and enjoyed gardening - every plant, flower, or tree that she planted would grow and flourish. She truly had a green thumb. Esmeralda built many endearing and lifelong friendships throughout her life; and routinely reaching out and staying connected with friends and family near and far was especially important to her. Because of her strong faith, perseverance, and will to survive, she lived ninety-three wonderful years.

Esmeralda will forever be remembered for her immense love for Jehovah, her family, and the many friends whose lives she touched. She has left an indelible imprint on the hearts of those who knew and loved her and will be deeply missed.

Esmeralda is preceded in death by her parents, Antonia and Pablo Garcia, husband, William M. Escobedo, daughters, Merida Escobedo Cooper and Glenda Ann Escobedo-Cruz, brother, Steven Garcia, sisters, Maria Ybarra, Alicia Pineda, Felipa Adame, Janie Suarez, and son-in-law, Jerrold Scott. She is survived by her children, Gloria Ann Scott, Roy Martinez, Jr., Nita Garcia (husband Pablo), Nora Torres, Melinda Garcia (husband Ruben), son-in-law, Shawn Cooper, along with fourteen grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, plus a host of extended family members and friends who loved her dearly.