A Mass of Christian Burial was held for Rafaela Shields, 93, former Clinton resident at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, December 11, 2019, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church officiated by Father Balaswamy Mandagiri. Burial concluded in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home.
Rafaela (Barrica) Shields was born October 24, 1926, to Amadeo and Monica (Martinez) Barrica in Baliangao, Philippines, and passed away early Monday, December 09, 2019, in her home in Keller, Texas.
She was raised and attended school in the Philippines. She was married to Enrique Garcia and he preceded her in death in 1969. In 1974 she married Carl A. Shields of Clinton, Oklahoma. They made Clinton their home until his death.
She was a member of the Catholic Church; she was an extraordinary mother who placed her children and family first above all else; she was a ROCK for our family; loved to go often to the Philippines to take pleasure on her beach resort and coco land; she loved to travel; an accomplished cook; prize winning beautiful yard. Her smile was infectious, and she loved helping the poor by giving them assistance, frequently sending clothes and household goods to the Philippines
She was also preceded in death by her parents, son, Luis Miguel and wife Asuncion Garcia, son-in-law, Gene Cock-rum, four brothers, Amador Barrica, Amadeo Barrica, Peregrino Barrica, and Ignacio Barrica and three sisters Nenita Alcantara, Socorro Celdran and Lourdes Cecilio
She is survived by four children, Maria Mercedes “Merci” Edmonds and husband, Keith, of Keller, Texas, Ana Marie Garcia, of Edmond, Oklahoma, Maria Pilar Phillips and husband, Sammy Phillips, of El Reno, Oklahoma; son, Jose Antonio Garcia, of the Philippines, and daughter, Enriqueta “Kit” Cockrum of the Philippines
She is also survived by five grandchildren, John Christopher Torres, Austin, Texas, Ted Michael Garcia, El Reno, Oklahoma, Baron Phillips, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Monet Pongos Landrain, Belgium, and Rica Pongos Garcia of the Philippines
The family has suggested those wanting to give a memorial contribution may do so to the Missionaries of Charity, 2704 Harlandale, Dallas, Texas 75216.