Carmen - Fairfield

Carmen Angelina Silva, 92, went to be with the Lord December 14, 2008 in Fairfield, Texas. She was born in Clifton, Arizona, March 28, 1916 to Manuel and Emilia Guerra. Her father was a concert violinist and later moved the family to San Diego, California where he had an orchestra that toured Baja California and Mexico. She married George Silva on September 24, 1938 in Phoenix Arizona and settled there. She was very active in all of her children's activities including Arizona Horse Lovers Club, serving as President of Xavier Mother's Club, and served as President of Alpha Delta Pi Mother's Club. She began teaching piano after her oldest children went to college and was active in the Arizona State Music Teachers Association, the National Guild of Musicians and also served as President of the Phoenix Piano Teachers Association. After her husband passed away in 1978, she moved to Rockwall, Texas and continued to teach piano in a joint studio with her daughter Christy. She then moved to Prescott Arizona in 1985 and continued teaching there for 11 years in a joint studio with her oldest daughter, Grace. She moved back to Rockwall Texas resumed teaching piano with Christy and served as officer for the Rockwall Music Teachers Association for two years. After Christy and her family moved to Fairfield, she retired from teaching and moved there in 2001. Carmen will most be remembered by her happy outlook on life. She always had a kind word to say about anyone and loved her family very much. We are a blessed family and infinitely grateful that God gave us the opportunity to share our lives with this amazing woman, our mother. Her constant kindness, patience, wisdom, and integrity are a legacy left to all those who had the pleasure of knowing her. Carment was a blessing to her devoted friends and piano students, constantly expressing her hearts' warmth into a tangible gift of companionship. Through all her life's challenges, she never got depressed or down hearted. She was the epitome of optimism. She always gave credit to the Lord for her strength endurance. She was a wonderful example of how to grow older gracefully with joy. She is survived by her three daughters, Mrs. Grace Hicks (Paul) of Prescott, Arizona, Mrs. Shirlee Ramage (Steve) of Rockwall Texas, and Mrs. Christy Howerton (Rick) of Fairfield; nine grandchildren, Mark Hicks, Eileen Lieby, Dr. Paul W. Hicks, Dr. Scott Hicks, James, Michael and Andrea Silva, Stephanie Howard, and Angelina Howerton; and six great grandchildren, Braden, Drew, Charles, and Colin Hicks, and Gavin and Grayson Howard. Visitation will be at the Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home, 450 E. Main, Fairfield TX on Wednesday December 17 from 3-6pm. A graveside service will be held at St. Francis Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th St. Phoenix Arizona on Monday December 22, 2008 at 11:30 am Memorial contributions may be made to Carmen Silva Junior Piano Scholarship c/o Yavapai Symphony Guild, PO Box 2980, Prescott, Arizona 86302.