Gardilia Rivas was born on May 14, 1973, in Tampa, Florida, to Sandra (Sandi) Rusher and the late Jewel Rusher. As the child of a military family, Gardilia spent much of her childhood living in various locations around the world before eventually settling in Wichita, Kansas for her senior year at Wichita East High School.

It was in Wichita, on April 1, 1992, that she made the life-changing decision to become a baptized disciple of Christ shortly before her 19th birthday. Her faith became the cornerstone of her life. At the age of 24, Gardilia joined a mission team that helped plant the church in Columbia, Missouri, demonstrating her deep commitment to serving God and others.

Love brought Gardilia to Dallas, Texas where she married the love of her life, Juan Rivas, at the age of 31 on July 24th, 2004. One year later, they were blessed with the birth of their beautiful daughter, Isabella. Together, they built a life rooted in faith, love, and family.

Gardilia enjoyed a rewarding career with State Farm, where she dedicated 15 years of service. Her career was eventually cut short due to the effects of scleroderma. Despite her physical challenges, declining mobility, and constant pain, she continued to praise God for all the blessings she had in her life.

Family was one of Gardilia's greatest treasures. She cherished time spent with her loved ones and especially enjoyed sharing her love of movies, music, sports and being best friends with Isabella.

Gardilia leaves behind a legacy of faith and love. She is preceded in death by her father, Jewel Rusher, father-in-law, Juan Salvador Rivas, Sr. and her oldest brother, David Clark. She is survived by: her devoted husband, Juan Salvador Rivas, Jr.; their daughter, Isabella Rivas; step-daughters, Jasmine Rivas, Alexxa Rivas, and Dominique Dinka; her mother, Sandi Rusher; her mother-in-law, Vila Rivas; her brother, Derrick Clark; her identical-twin sister, Camilia Brown (Chris); and her sisters-in-law, Rita Solis (Eny), Hiliana Reyes (Oscar), Yessenia Rivas (Enrique), Gloria Villatoro, Ernestina Salmeron; and a host of extended family members and dear friends.

From the day she gave her life to Christ as a young woman until her final breath, Gardilia remained faithful. Her life was a beautiful testament to perseverance in the face of adversity, unwavering faith, compassion, encouragement for others, and the enduring power of hope. Though she will be deeply missed, her legacy will continue to inspire all who knew and loved her.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." – Matthew 25:23