Teresita “Tess” Lagura Leyva, age 85, departed this earth, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at her residence surrounded by loved ones as sweetly and gently as she is graced with her presence. She was born September 25, 1939, in the Philippines to Faustino Lagura and Emelia Luzano.
She leaves behind her husband of fifty-two years, Arturo Leyva; three loving children, Justin, Arthur (wife, Sheila Leyva), and Margaret (husband, Roden Reyes); three grandchildren, Ethan Leyva, Francis Reyes, and Charlie Reyes; two brothers, Reverend Father Florencio Lagura and Dr. Serafin Lagura; and loving nephews and nieces.
At the University of San Carlos, Cebu City, Philippines, she graduated high school and college wherein she earned her degree in Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. After graduation she worked at the Regional Office of the Department of Health. When she was transferred to Tacbolan City, Philippines working as Food and Drug Pharmacist inspector for the Department of Health, she met the love of her life. They soon began life together on June 10, 1973.
Teresita was a woman of great faith. She loved the Lord just as much as she loved her family. She was a long-time devoted parishioner of St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Her greatest value and most profound joy in life was her family, her devotion to pray the holy rosary, to help others find their way back to God and the prayer groups she was a part of. She set aside her life to raise her children and grandchildren and was happiest when they could all be together. She was a kind, caring, and gentle woman of incredible charm and energy that always welcomed everyone with open arms to her warm and caring home.
Amazing, faithful, and inspiring to the end, Teresita lived a full life. She died peacefully as the sun was coming down, surrounded by the friends and family she dearly loved.
A time of visitation will be held Friday, June 27, 2025, in the chapel of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home, 1474 State Highway 83 North, DeFuniak Springs, Florida, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary Service at 6:00 p.m. An additional Rosary Service will be held Saturday, June 28, 2025, at St. Margaret Catholic Church, 247 U.S. Highway 331 North, DeFuniak Springs, Florida, beginning at 10:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin immediately following. Committal service will follow at Magnolia Cemetery.
Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins of DeFuniak Springs.
