Emma Carrasco Borja

BROWNSVILLE, TX. – Emma Carrasco Borja passed away peacefully at home at the age of 96 on May 18, 2021 in Austin, Texas.  Emma was born on October 17, 1924 in Brownsville, Texas to Rafael and Jovita Carrasco.

When her father passed away, Emma quit school and took a greater role in the family grocery store. Later, she continued her education by acquiring her High School Diploma and then taking Business courses at the Junior College. In 1956, she married Gumaro (Max) Elizondo. At that time, she handed over the business of the local Grocery Store (Honeydale Grocery) to her younger brother Carlos. Emma went on to have two children, Richard Elizondo and Orlando (Michelle) Elizondo of Denton, Texas.

After Max’s passing, Emma became the secretary at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where she was a long-time member. Then in 1987, after raising two boys and taking care of her mother, she married Deacon Gilberto Borja of Brownsville, Texas. At that time, her expanded family grew to include: Diana (Rafael) Borja Quintanilla, Sylvia (Tommy) Zavaleta of Austin, and Yolanda Borja of Newport, Kentucky. She was also blessed with six grandchildren: Ricardo Elizondo, Jr., Camille (Arnold) Hinojosa of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Thomas (Eryn) Zavaleta, Jr. of Austin, David Zavaleta of Austin, Eric (Mollie) Zavaleta of Abilene, Texas, and Patricia (Pete) Longoria of Manchaca, Texas.  Additionally, she was so happy to be a great-grandmother to fourteen cherished great-grandchildren.

Since Gilbert was a Deacon at St. Mary’s Church, Emma was involved in numerous parish ministries and activities. She also spent time visiting parishioners at the nursing homes. She enjoyed gardening, dancing, and traveling with Gilbert. She was a strong but gentle soul.  Everyone who knew Emma recognized her kind and loving nature. She was always there to help anyone in need and she will be deeply missed.

Emma Borja was preceded in death by her parents, Rafael and Jovita Carrasco; spouses, Max Elizondo and Deacon Gilberto Borja; son, Ricardo Elizondo; grandson, Ricardo Elizondo, Jr.; daughter, Diana Borja; and by her siblings, Leo Carrasco, Ofelia Guajardo, Margarita (Alfredo) Barron, Carlos Carrasco, and Raul Carrasco.

Emma is survived by her son, Orlando (Michelle) Elizondo; her sisters, Irma (Roy) Kemp and Alicia Torben; daughters, Sylvia Borja Zavaleta and Yolanda Borja; and by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family is grateful to the loving and compassionate caregivers that became an integral part of the family over the last few years—Lourdes Garcia, Nora Martinez, Lorena Palomares, Elaine Morgan, Rosie Chavez, Paloma Cabrera and Gio Scalzone.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, the 26th of May 2021 between the hours of five o’clock in the afternoon and seven o'clock at night, with the recitation of the holy rosary to be recited at seven o'clock Wednesday night within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ten o'clock in the morning on Thursday, the 27th of May 2021 at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, 1914 Barnard Road, Brownsville, Texas 78520. All services will conclude at the church and cremation will follow. Emma will be laid to rest at Buena Vista Burial Park beside her husband Gilbert at a later date.

The family kindly asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to one of Emma’s favorite charities in her memory: St. Jude’s Hospital or Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.

Memories of Emma may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111 .