Carmen Legarrea

Carmen Legarrea, age 79, passed away on March 03, 2021, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN.

Carmen was born on October 04, 1941, in Durango, Mexico to parents Raymundo and Carmen Arreola.

Carmen was a very strong-willed and resilient woman, overcoming all odds and making a better life for her and her family.

At a young age, Carmen had a passion for sewing. From designing different patterns to designing different styles of clothes, Carmen could do it all. She sewed all kinds of things for friends and family, but especially for her firstborn daughter, making her clothes from the time she was born to the age of 15. Later on in life, Carmen worked as an assembly worker for Educational Insights assembling educational development toys for kids until she retired after dedicating many years of service. Her daughter followed in her footsteps working at Educational Insights, and this was what brought her whole family to Mount Pleasant, Tennesse from California.

Carmen was the "Rock" of her whole family. She was better known as Abuelita or Hata to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The glue that kept everyone so tightly knitted together. She was like a Godmother to all.

After having lost two of her own children and her husband, it was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who brought joy and laughter back to her life.

Abuelita's testament: "To be present" - always keeping in touch with relatives and friends no matter the distance. She was always there for you when you needed someone to listen and to keep you in check.

Abuelita (Hata) showed her presence and love through conversation and food.

Each homemade dish had its own way of saying "I Love You", whether it was her enchiladas, sopita, arroz, chile verde, or her fried eggs with beans and tortillas for breakfast. Gathering the whole family at her home was what she enjoyed the most.

Abuelita (Hata) was a loving and devoted daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be deeply missed.

The Legarrea family will receive friends Sunday, March 7, 2021, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The funeral service for Carmen will follow at 11:00 AM at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia, TN, with Gustavo Castillo officiating. Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens & Mausoleum in Columbia, TN.

Carmen is preceded in death by her parents; two of her children: Fabian and Johnny; beloved husband: Agustin; two brothers: Arturo and Monsy; sister: Mary; and daughter-in-law: Carie Legarrea.

Carmen is survived by her sister, Mila; children: Carmen (Roberto) Bojorquez, Steve (Alicia) Legarrea, and Augie Legarrea; grandchildren: Andres, Roberto "Tito", Fabian, Ana-Catherine, Leslie, Cecilia, Sabrina, Johnny, Richard, Darlene, Estaban "Stevie", Danny, Anthony, Anna; and 20 beautiful great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers are Andres, Tito, Fabian, Stevie, Danny, and Johnny.

Williams Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements. You may send the family your sympathy or share your memories at williamsfh.com.