Maria G. Benavidez

    Our Earthly Angel, Maria G. Benavidez, gained her Heavenly wings and flew up to be with her Creator and her Lord and Savior on Saturday June 1, 2019 at 5:30 a.m. as she was surrounded by her entire family.
    Maria Mercedes Gonzalez was born on June 4, 1932 in Laredo TX to Juanita and Antonio Navarro.  Maria attended the Laredo public school system and graduated from Martin High School.  Maria met the love of her life and future husband of 58 years in 1960 while working at Kress Department Store.  Alfonso and Maria Benavidez were joined in holy matrimony on April 24, 1961 at the Iglesia Guadalupe Catholic Church in Laredo.  
    The couple moved to the Callahan Ranch where Alfonso was employed as a ranch hand.  Marie Candelaria Benavidez was the first of the young couple’s children to be born in 1962.  Later that year, Maria and Alfonso moved to Borden County and had son Alfonso Benavidez Jr. in 1963 in Lamesa TX.  Twins Phillip and Simona Benavidez were born in 1964 in Lamesa as well.  
    Employment opportunities took the Benavidez family from Borden County back to Laredo and then to Lansing, Michigan and finally back to Borden County in 1975 for good.  Three years later their 5th and final child, Peter Benavidez, was born in 1978.
    All five children attended and graduated from Borden County ISD.  Maria and Alfonso were actively involved in the extra-curricular activities of their children at BCISD.  As time went on and their children had their own children, Maria could always be found following all of their grandchildren’s sports careers.  Maria was a big fan of the BC Coyotes and Lady Coyotes, O’Donnell Eagles and Lady Eagles, and finally also of the Lamesa Tornadoes.  
    For 58 years, through thick and thin, you would always find Maria where Alfonso was.  Traveling was a passion for the couple whether it be traveling to Michigan or McAllen or even to the local McDonald’s in Lamesa for Maria’s favorite breakfast, they were always together.  
    The Benavidez family takes comfort in knowing that this brief period of time without our angel Maria will only be temporary as we will all be reunited again in Heaven.  
    Maria Benavidez was preceded in death by her parents Juanita and Antonio Navarro; brothers Felipe Gonzalez and Patricio Gonzalez; sister Juanita Gonzalez; and son-in-law Rafael Ramirez.
    Maria is survived by her husband Alfonso Benavidez of Borden County; children Marie Benavidez Bernal and husband Joe of Lamesa TX, Alfonso Benavidez Jr. of Borden County, Phillip and wife Holly Benavidez of Gail TX, Simona Ramirez of Borden County, and Peter and Kerri Benavidez of Gail TX.  12 Grandchildren; Soledad Ramirez Trevino and husband Manuel, Nina Ramirez, Joshua Ramirez, Justin Ramirez, Tiffany Ramirez, Baylee Benavidez Hair and husband Steven, Krystasha Benavidez, Jaden Benavidez, Diego Bernal, Tristen Benavidez, Madison Benavidez and Keigan Benavidez; 11 great grandchildren; Devon Pierce, Tatum Pierce, Tagan Trevino, Hunter West, Sierra Trevino, Riley Trevino, Kooper Hiracheta, Kennedy Thomas, Aidden Benavidez, Dayton Angel, and Dresun Angel.
    Visitation will be 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at Combest Family Funeral Homes, O’Donnell with rosary at 6:00 p.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, O’Donnell. Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, O’Donnell with interment to follow at the Gail Cemetery.
–Press-Reporter obituary services