Christina Garcia-Mata

Christy Garcia-Mata, devoted mother, wife, daughter and teacher lost her life hiking the Franklin Mountains, on June 28, 2021. She loved life, nature, travel, yoga, humanity, culture, music, dancing, world cuisine, teaching, history, her precious son and family, and the lifelong pursuit of finding her highest self. Christy was born on November 13, 1981 in El Paso, Texas. She was a proud Alumni of Del Valle High School and the University of Texas at El Paso, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in both History and Chicano Studies. While studying postgraduate Hip Hop Studies at UTEP she would meet the young man who would soon become her soulmate, Gabriel Mata. Soon they would embark on an epic journey through Mexico Lindo, to rediscover their indigenous roots and the roots of their Chicano Souls! During this journey they would fall in love and decide to begin a new life with each other in Austin, Tx. The love of hip hop, the love of yoga, the love of backpacking Mama Earth, the love of deep communion with the Great Spirit, and the love of Mexico would unite them every step of their life journey. Their adventurous spirits would lead them to backpack North, Central, and South America; they would sojourn to Jamaica to exchange sacred vows in front of their Rasta brothers Captain Larry Culture and Captain Ever Ready in the crystal clear holy waters of Negril and then exchange vows with only each other and the Great Spirit on One Love Island! In life Christy or as many of her friends called her, Chiquita Bonita; fiercely pursued her unrelenting passion for education, being a beacon of light for the youth of the world, and being a lifelong student in her deep knowledge that one should never stop searching and learning the righteous truths of this extraordinary existence. Christy is survived by her husband, Gabriel Mata; her pride and joy, Jabril; her parents, Daniel and Mary Garcia; sister, Sarah Garcia and nieces Danielle and Sararae Gonzalez; along with the many inspired students, faculty, countless fellow humans who were uplifted by her graceful spirit, countless loving friends, and her loving extended family. As well as she would say, “all her brothers and sisters of the Human Race; The One Love Family” Christy Mata once shared with her father, Daniel, that she wanted to wake up every day happy to love what she did, and to have an impact on young minds and hearts. Her purpose was fulfilled and now has spread at the speed of light throughout the world and the cosmos. The students and faculty of Akins High School remember her passion, strength, unwavering belief in them, how she advocated for and inspired them, her unrelenting belief in every person’s potential if nurtured by righteousness, and above all; her radiant smile which instantly transmitted truth, pure love, empathy and grace. Her ability to positively affect a room with her presence was a blessing to experience; her passion for life contagious; her welcoming embrace powerful; her understanding and acceptance nurturing; her love for life righteous; her compassion unwavering; her love freely given and endless. To know Mrs. G was to be called Sister or Brother, Hermana or Hermano; she was and will forever be our Righteous Sister. She is a daughter; she is a wife; she is a mother, and she was and will always be a teacher. Even now she is teaching us...teaching us to look to one another, to be righteous, to embrace, to accept, and above all, smile...radiantly... smile. Christy would want each of you to live each day like it may be your last. She lived her precious life with this Buddhist philosophy, “Every day, have a little bird on your shoulder that asks, Is today the day? Am I being the person I want to be? No doubt Christy succeeded in finding her highest self and truth, so the Great Spirit called her home!” Celebration of Life and live streaming will start at 5:00 PM at http://www.facebook.com/sunsetfuneralhome