Miss Yolanda Gardea Davila, born on January 12, 1936, in San Antonio, Texas, peacefully passed away surrounded by her family on November 2, 2023, at the age of 87.  She was preceded in death by her departed parents Julius Davila and Estella Gardea Davila, and her infant brother Julius Davila, Jr.  She is survived by: her sister Bertha Davila Kraft and her nephew Donn David Kraft, Jr. and his wife Debbie Z. Kraft.  She is also survived by her first cousins Mrs. Katherine Schiamara Puls: Mrs. Anita Perez: Mrs. Mary Dominguez: COL USAR Robert Gardea Perez (Gina Perez), her godchildren: Evelyn Marie Huron and Timothy Bearden, as well as numerous beloved second and third cousins from the Perez and Schiamara families.

Yolanda was born and grew up at the family Mexican curio store, Mireles Mexican Products.  She graduated from G.W. Brackenridge High School.  She went on to graduate from Our Lady of the Lake University with a Bachelor of Science degree.  After graduating Yolanda starting working at the Nix Hospital Laboratory as a phlebotomist.  Yolanda later decided she wanted to help educate children and share her love of science.  Yolanda started out teaching at St. Benedict Catholic School and taught there for 10 years.  Yolanda then went back to school, at Our Lady of the Lake University, to obtain her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education so she could teach at the San Antonio Independent School District.  Yolanda taught at several schools throughout the San Antonio Independent School District.  She started out teaching with the gifted and talented program.  Yolanda then recognized the need to help the Hispanic community and started teaching in the English as a Second Language program for many years.   Yolanda was later identified to help pioneer teaching special education classes within the San Antonio Independent School District.  Yolanda loved to travel with her family and friends.  Yolanda traveled extensively both in the states and abroad during her summers off from teaching.  She visited Mexico, traveled throughout Europe, Hawaii, Canada, and throughout the United States.  After 25 years of distinguished teaching service, Yolanda retired from the San Antonio Independent School District.

In 1994, after retiring from teaching, Yolanda returned to help her mother, Estela G. Davila, run the family's Mexican curio store.   They ran the store until it closed in 2005, after 88 years of dedicated service to the community.  After closing the family store, Yolanda devoted herself to the at home health care of her aging mother.

Yolanda was a member of the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who pledged her loving devotion to our Most Blessed Virgin, Mother of God. Her Sodality sisters were always there to provide spiritual support for her throughout the years.  Yolanda is survived by her Sodality sisters: Mrs. Caroline Harvey: Mrs. Rosa Bonanno: and Mrs. Delfina Lerma.

Yolanda will be remembered by her family and friends as a devout Roman Catholic, the most beautiful and loving daughter and sister, as well as a devoted educator and business woman.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Friday, November 10, 2023

Visitation will be held at 11:00am

Funeral Service 12:00pm

The Angelus Funeral Home Chapel

1119 N. St. Mary's St.

Interment to follow at San Fernando Cemetery II

The Family of Miss Davila would also like to sincerely thank Dr. Paul Smith Jr. and his entire staff at MedFirst Primary Care for their professional and caring medical attention provided to Miss Davila.