Celia Ramos Carranza, daughter of Alfonso Ramos and Guadalupe Chapa Ramos was born on August 14. 1936 in Las Yescas, Texas. She died on June 21, 2013 at the age of 76 at St. Luke's hospital from an aggressive type of leukemia, acute myeloid lymphoma that rapidly attacked her body. Celia was the wife of former husband, Severo Carranza for over 25 years and mother of 11 children, 27 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. She raised her children while working with husband, on migrant farms throughout Texas and California picking cotton and various fruits and vegetables. Her and her family finally settled in New Waverly, Texas and was one the first families to clear land off of 1375 East and Hardy Bottom Rd. She worked diligently with her husband to establish the Carranza's Cement Contracting business and would often take the oldest boys and girls to help run the family business. She was well known in the New Waverly community for her delicious beef enchiladas and tamales. Tending to her flower garden and roses brought her great joy. She was not afraid of hard work and was often found outside with her rubber boots and hat around the barn or pasture looking after her nanny goats. Favorite family celebrations at the Carranza family home included Christmas and Easter. She taught her daughters how to make tamales, create "Nacimientos" in honor of the birth of Jesus at Christmas time, and the importance of saving those egg shells many months before Easter to begin making the multi-colored confetti eggs in celebration of Christ's resurrection. Needless to say, she was a very strong and loving mother who endured life's trials as they came and always gave her all! "We love you Mom and hope to carry on your strength in raising and loving our families just as you did for us." She is survived by her five sisters: Francisca Gonzalez, Manuela Cortez, Edna Diaz, Rachel Carranza, Adolfo Ramos Roberto Ramos, David Ramos, and Dora Ramos. She is survived by her children: Arturo Carranza and wife Ester, Matilda Clark and husband Tim, Rosario Lara, Delfina Niehaus, Rosalinda Carranza, Irma Meza and husband Hector, Alicia Cardenas and husband Malaquias, Roman Carranza and wife Tonya, Cenaiyda Carranza, Madelaina Carranza and husband Ernesto, and their families. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 24, 2013 from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm, with a holy rosary at 7:00 pm, at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito, Texas. Celebration of Life mass will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at St. Vincent de Paul Mission Church in Lozano, Texas. Burial will follow at Las Anaquitas cemetery in Rio Hondo, Texas. You may sign the online guestbook and send words of comfort, flowers, or sympathy cards to the family of Celia Ramos Carranza at: www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.