Celeste Garcia

Jul 4, 1956 -

Feb 19, 2026

Celeste Cecile Burnett Garcia was born on July 4, 1956, to Jack and Connie Burnett in Fairbanks, Alaska. She came into the world with a bang, the moment she was born her grandparents house caught on fire. Her father, Asst. Chief of the Fairbanks Fire Dept., only had enough time to meet Celeste and then head to the fire.

Celeste attended school in Fairbanks and graduated in 1974 from Lathrop high school. Soon after, she began her telecommunications career at RCA, which eventually became AT&T, where she retired after 32 years, at 50 years old.

Celeste had transferred in the '80s to Anchorage, where she eventually met her soulmate, Sammy Garcia, and after 10 years of being together, they married in 2006. Together with Sammy, she helped raise his two sons DJ and Tyler. Sammy also had a son, Derek, who lived in Texas.

Celeste was an avid crafter. Every year she would make Christmas ornaments for each family member and she created the most amazing scrapbooks that have been treasured keepsakes for years. She was also a bowler and liked downhill skiing. She and Sammy were season ticket holders for all the Aces hockey games in Anchorage, supported her two sons in their hockey career and was the best hockey mom. She and Sammy were members of the Anchorage Moose Lodge, where they amassed a large group of friends and was part of her "girl tribe."

In 2022, Sammy and Celeste relocated to Sammy's hometown new Braunfels, Texas. Unfortunately, she was never able to fully embrace her new home because dementia had set in, which limited her in life. Sammy stood by her lovingly, taking care of her along with their son Tyler and his wife Courtney. She took her last breath on Feb. 19, 2026. She was surrounded by Sammy; her brother and sister, Searl and Jeannine; and Tyler and Courtney.

Celeste was preceded in death by her father and mother; aunts, Charlotte Lefferson and Nona Vaughan; and cousins, Jennifer Mang and Robert Walker. She is survived by her husband, Sammy; children, Tyler (Courtney), DJ and Derek; brother, Searl (Terri); sister, Jeannine; grandchildren, Dylan, Everette and Stella; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation was in New Braunfels on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, at Zoeller Funeral Home from 5-9 p.m. Funeral Service was on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, at 10 a.m., at Zoeller Funeral Home, followed by burial at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery, 301 Peace Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Braunfels Hope Hospice, www.hopehospice.net.