October 28, 1939 – May 8, 2026

With hearts full of sadness and deep gratitude for a life beautifully lived, the family of Sylvia Salinas Medina announces her unexpected passing on May 8, 2026, at the age of 86. She passed peacefully at home, with her eldest son by her side - quickly, quietly, and without suffering.

Sylvia was born on October 28, 1939, in Port Arthur, Texas, to Santiago and Henrieta Davalos Salinas. The youngest of five daughters, she carried throughout her life the warmth, strength, and unwavering devotion to faith and family that so beautifully defined her.

Sylvia graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1956. She attended business college to train as a secretary before marrying and raising her family.

Sylvia met her lifelong love, Antonino "Tony" Garza Medina, at just thirteen years old during a softball game in Geronimo, Texas. After years of writing letters to one another, they married on August 2, 1959, beginning a beautiful love story that would span more than six decades.

Together, Sylvia and Tony built a life rooted in faith, family, laughter, and unconditional love while raising their three sons, Mark, Steven, and Brian. Their home in Ennis became a place of warmth, hospitality, prayer, and welcome for family and lifelong friends.

Sylvia's determination and love of learning led her to return to school after raising her sons, earning a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree from Tarleton State University in 1996.

A devout Roman Catholic, Sylvia faithfully attended Mass and generously shared her time through CASA, RCIA, Pre-Cana, and Marriage Encounter. Her family lovingly said that Sylvia had a direct prayer line to Heaven because she prayed constantly for everyone around her. She touched countless lives with her kindness, wisdom, encouragement, and unwavering faith.

Though graceful and gentle, Sylvia was also remarkably strong — whether surviving lively family campouts with her adventurous children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren or faithfully standing beside Tony throughout his illness, ensuring he was lovingly cared for until his passing after 63 years of marriage.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Tony Medina; her parents, Santiago and Henrieta Salinas; and her sisters, Dora Lucille Garcia and Viola Salinas Hernandez Gaytan.

She is survived by her sisters, Helen Hammons and husband Gordon of North Richland Hills, TX, and Olga "Olgie" De Leon of Midland, TX; her sons, Mark Medina and wife Tammie of Ennis, TX, Steven Medina and wife Stephanie of Dallas, TX, and Brian Medina and wife Erin of McKinney, TX; her grandsons, Daniel and wife Mayra, Michael and wife Sandra, and Nicholas; and her eight great-grandchildren: Adrian, Eliana, Lorena, Cruz, Xavier ("Tony"), Santino, Laurel, and Alex.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at the J.E. Keever Mortuary Chapel, 408 N. Dallas Street in Ennis. The Holy Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026 at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Ennis with Father Fred Caldwell as celebrant. Private interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery under the direction of J.E. Keever Mortuary, Inc.

Submitted by family