God welcomed his beautiful, compassionate, courageous, and loving daughter Delia Contreras Acosta on April 4th after her battle with cancer. Delia was born to Maria Elizondo Contreras and Estanislao Contreras on February 14, 1940. She was the oldest of 3 children, Estanislao (Sonny) and Bertha. After attending St. Henry's Catholic School and Blessed Sacrament Academy High School, Delia enrolled at San Antonio College. Delia and Phillip Raul Acosta were married in 1967 and had three children: Phillip Raul (born and died in 1968), Susana Elia and Carlos Lazaro.

In 1979 Delia returned to work after being a stay-at-home mom. She was employed as an Administrative Assistant to Texas State Representatives Paul Elizondo and Walter Martinez and to the Honorable and late Texas State Senator Gregory Luna, who was a pioneer in state education reform. She retired in 2007 after working as a Caseworker for U.S. Congressman Charlie Gonzalez (son of the Honorable and late Henry B. Gonzalez).

In 1980 Delia joined a reform ticket led by George Ozuna and included John Courage to change the structure of the San Antonio Junior College District. The election of these three candidates resulted in the creation of the Alamo Community College District Board of Trustees. All served until 1986. Mainly, through their leadership this entity grew from one college to a system of five community college campuses despite great opposition to that effort. Delia was most proud of this accomplishment.

In 2001 her church involvement took her from St. Philip of Jesus Catholic Church to Holy Spirit Catholic Church, where she became active in several outreach programs to the community.

Despite her many accomplishments and dedication to her community and church, her pride and joy was truly in her two granddaughters. Delia was preceded in death by her parents Maria Elizondo Contreras and Estanislao Contreras, her brother Estanislao (Sonny) Contreras, her son Phillip Raul Acosta, Jr., and her mother-in-law Josefina Cruz. She is survived by her husband of almost 49 years Phillip Raul Acosta, Sr.; daughter Susana Elia (Javier) and her son Carlos Lazaro (Caroline); granddaughters Daniela Raquel and Ariana Elise; her sister Bertha and her husband Santiago Garcia and their children and grandchild; sister-in-law Sylvia Contreras and her sons and grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren.

FUNERAL SERVICES