Talisa Brianna Cruz, 17, passed away April 29th, 2016 at 11:48 pm. She was a junior at Rio Hondo High School. Talisa was always happy and laughing wherever she was. Always helpful and caring for others. She was the sweetest person ever, always with a smile on her face. Her laugh was contagious and wasn’t afraid to be silly in public. She loved Art and drawing was her passion, dreaming of one day traveling to New York to study fashion and begin her own clothing line. She loved the color purple and squirrels. She thought everything was funny, and a kid at heart. She loved to sing to the radio and write poems. Having tickle fights with her nieces and nephews was her favorite. Family meant everything to her, always there for her brothers and sisters, but most of all, she was very close to her mother, an unbreakable bond. She is survived by her mother, Sylvia Perez, 49; her grandmother, Antonia Perez, 77; uncle, Enrique Perez, 44; and siblings: Nelda Quintanilla, 30, Julian Espinosa III, 27, Justin Perez, 24, Joseph Guerrero, 22, Brittany Guerrero, 20, and Paul Cruz, 18. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 5, 2016 from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home. A chapel service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, May 6, 2016 at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Rio Hondo City Cemetery. You may sign the online guestbook and send words of comfort, flowers, or sympathy cards to the family of Talisa Brianna Cruz at: www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors and Crematorium, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.