Frances O. Diaz, age 85, of Galveston, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2023, surrounded by her family at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston. She was born on February 23, 1938, in Galveston, Texas, to Michael M. Tijerina and Beatrice Zamora Tijerina.

Frances graduated from Ball High School in 1956. She married the love of her life, Jesse Diaz, on September 2, 1961, embarking on a journey that blossomed into a beautiful family. Together, they created a loving home filled with shared joys, enduring memories, and a legacy of warmth that will continue to resonate through the generations she touched. She dedicated many years of service to St. Mary's Hospital, working there from 1961 until her retirement in 1996. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, Frances touched the lives of those around her with her warmth and care. She loved watching the Houston Astros and stayed up many late nights cheering them on. Much like her love for her family and her passion for donating to worthy causes, Frances found great joy in nurturing and providing for the squirrels in her neighborhood. She had a few favorites that always brought a smile to her face.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Michael M. Tijerina and Beatrice Zamora Tijerina; a son, Benjamin Diaz; a brother, John Tijerina, and his wife Phyllis Tijerina; a brother-in-law, Rey Martinez, and a grandson, Joshua Niswonger.

Frances is survived by her husband, Jesse Diaz, Jr.; sister, Alice Martinez; daughters, Carol Diaz-Sterling and husband Randall, III, Cynthia Niswonger, Cathy Horry, and husband Nicholas, and Jessica Skaggs and husband Jake; grandchildren, Randall Sterling, IV, and wife Yesenia, Scott A. Niswonger, Jr. and wife Larissa, Kaely S. Diaz-Wenglar, Cera Horry, and Sawyer A. Skaggs; great-grandchildren, Jasmine Niswonger, Kairi Niswonger, Liam Niswonger, Levi A. Wenglar, Dash R. Wenglar, Benjamin Sterling, Evelyn Gutierrez, Adrian Gutierrez, Andrew Gutierrez, Melany Gutierrez, and Misael Gutierrez. Nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at Carnes Brothers Funeral Home in Galveston, with burial following at Calvary Cemetery in Galveston. Visitation hours are from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Randall Sterling, III, Jake P. Skaggs, Scott A. Niswonger, Jr., Randall Sterling IV, Nicholas Horry, and Christopher Thompson.