Submitted by: Dan Rich

Innocencia Soto

Dec. 29, 1912 - Feb. 16, 2003

South Bend Tribune 2/19/2003

Innocencia Soto, 90, of South Bend, Ind., passed away peacefully after an extended illness at 10 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16, in her residence. She was born Dec. 29, 1912, in Pharr, Texas, to Felipa and Lorenzo Garcia, who preceded her in death.

In June 1932, as Innocencia Garcia, she married Antonio Soto, who also preceded her in death. She was a resident of South Bend for 43 years, arriving from Pharr in 1960. Innocencia is survived by three brothers, Ceverino, Gabriel and Andres Garcia, and a sister, Hiliberta Garcia, all of Pharr; a daughter, Tomasa (Juan) Hernandez of South Bend; and by a son, Francisco (Alita) Dominguez of Pharr. She also leaves to cherish her memory 18 grandchildren, Lorenzo, Cephus and Juan (Shelly) Hernandez, all of South Bend, Debbie Hernandez of Mishawaka, Ind., Rosa (John) Smalchick of Milford, Ind., Elva (Antonio) Malaron of Warsaw, Ind., Mary (Alan) Beaty, Rudy Hernandez and Sylvia Hernandez, all of Fort Pierce, Fla., Elias (Jamie) Hernandez and Eliseo Hernandez, all of Fort Myers, Fla., Sylvia Hernandez of New Mexico, Helen Hernandez of McAllen, Texas, Tomasita Hernandez of Arizona, Roberto and Oscar Dominguez of Dallas, Texas, Marina Dominguez of Elenburge, Texas, and Eva Dominguez of San Juan, Texas.

Mrs. Soto was also blessed with 35 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

She was involved in her community throughout her life. In recent years she especially enjoyed taking part in the "coffee chats" at Studebaker Elementary. She also enjoyed sewing and gardening. She was a devoted member of the Iglesia Metodista.

Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21, in the McGann Funeral Homes, 2313 E. Edison Road. Services will immediately follow in the funeral home, and will be officiated by the Rev. Eva Noemi Torres of the Iglesia Metodista. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery in South Bend. Contributions in memory of Mrs. Soto may be made to Hospice. She will be greatly missed, but always remembered by those who loved her.