Carmen Julia Mercado Cardona

Obituary
A Life Well Lived

On May 27, 2024, Carmen Julia Mercado Cardona passed away peacefully in her
Georgia home surrounded by her loving family. Carmen was the mother of three: Carlos Tirado, Sarita Guevarez, and late Evelyn Tirado. Carmen was born to Francisco Javier Mercado and Natividad Cardona Cruz on April 6, 1939. She was the sixth birth in a family of 12 children. She and her siblings grew up in Rincon, Puerto Rico. 

Carmen married and moved to New York City in 1956 where her children were born and raised. She followed her entrepreneurial spirit and developed three hair salon businesses before returning to Puerto Rico to help care for her aging mother. In Rincon, Puerto Rico, she established another business named “El Bohio” where refreshments were served to surfers and beachgoers near Maria’s Beach. It was a multigenerational business that served the community for decades. She was beloved in her community.

At the urging of her children, she moved to Georgia where she could be cared for and
often visit her son in Puerto Rico or at his Florida home. Carmen is survived by her son Carlos Tirado, daughter Sarita Guevarez, and her seven grandchildren here listed from oldest to youngest: Karla Tirado, Natalie Tillero, Gilbert Vazquez, Malorie Tillero, Justin Guevarez, Gabriel Guevarez, and Leeza Tirado. Her six great-grandchildren listed from oldest to youngest: Diego Mauricio, Gustavo Ortiz, Javier Candelaria, Maximo
Guevarez, Suyana Guevarez, and Brianny Gibbs Tillero. She was preceded in death by her daughter Evelyn Tirado, sister Juanita Mercado, brother Catalino Mercado, niece Nancy Matias, and her mother and father. 

Our family is sincerely grateful for the outpouring support and prayers from our family and friends.