Stella Esparza, 85 of Lubbock, Texas entered heaven's gates on August 29, 2022. She was born on January 5, 1937 to Ladislado and Salome Torres Garibay. She married the love of her life Cruz Esparza on December 28, 1957 in Crosby County, Texas.

Stella lived in Petersburg as a youth. She married Cruz in 1957 and they lived in Ralls up until 1976. They then moved to Hale Center and lived there up until 2012 before moving to Lubbock. Stella was a kindergarten teacher's aide for 26 years at Akin Elementary in Hale Center, Texas and was a member of the St. Teresa's Catholic Church. She loved her job and enjoyed taking care of all the children. Stella also loved cooking, sewing, and baseball. She enjoyed all the simple thing in life. Stella will be missed dearly by her loved ones.

Those left to cherish her memories are her husband, Cruz Esparza of Lubbock; her son, Robert Lynn Esparza of Lubbock; her daughter, Rachel Diana Fraley of Garland; her sister, Elida Gonzales of Robinson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her three sisters, Eva Garibay, Clementina Gonzales, and Celia Garibay; her three brothers, Alfredo Garibay, Raul Garibay, and Ramiro Garibay.