Maria E. "Chacha" Benavidez, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, February 28, 2021 in Hereford, Texas, 2 months shy of her 97 ^th birthday. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at San Jose Catholic Church with Monsignor Arturo Meza and Father Ramon Molina officiating; burial will follow at St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery. Service and arrangements have been entrusted to Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home of Hereford, Texas. A viewing will be held on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 from 1:00-8:00 P.M. at the funeral home with rosary to begin at 6:00 P.M. We ask that a mask please be worn provided by you if attending viewing, rosary, or mass.

Maria was born on May 3, 1924 to Cruz and Eduarda (Chapa) Enriquez in Asherton, Texas into a humble, modest farming family that lost their farm to the Great Depression. She dropped out of school at the eighth grade to help her parents see their dreams of seeing their children graduate from high school. Due to family circumstances, she also became a mother figure to her six siblings at a very young age. She married Herman Benavidez, Sr. on May 19, 1946 in Asherton. Maria has been a resident of Hereford since 1959.

We were so blessed and privileged to have had her for so long. Mom was surrounded by so much love and by so much family the day before. One of her greatest joys was that of being a mother and grandmother. We had a mother like none, other, who shrouded our lives with so much unconditional love, so much care, guidance, and showed us how to make good decisions throughout our lifetimes. Her love for each of us was expressed in such a way that she made you feel like you were the only one getting all that nurturing love. Maria was loved by so many, including her family, her friends and even those who only knew her through other's conversations. She was the purest devotee of the Catholic Church, a faithful servant and the power of her faith and her prayers were requested often by many in their times of need. Her devotion to her husband and her children flowed like a river. She always found ways to enrich our lives, making us feel like we were the richest kids in the world with special after school treats like freshly baked breads and homemade ice cream sandwiches! Mamacita loved making fresh tortillas. She would hand you one fresh off the grill and say here put butter on it and eat. She always made sure we had the very best she could provide and was very creative in making everything easily fall into place for all of us. Her intelligence, witty approach to life, her determination, her devotion, her commitment, her compassion, her unconditional love for each of us, her guidance, her worries, her joys, her constant watch over each of us, her hard unending work, her devotion to her faith and church, clearly demonstrated that Maria Benavidez was indeed, "A woman of strength."

Those left to cherish her memories are her children, Delma Martinez and husband Raul of Corpus Christi, TX., Richard Benavidez of Sacramento, CA., Oralia Benavidez of Corpus Christi, TX., Herman Benavidez Jr. of Ft. Worth, TX., and Sylvia Benavidez of Amarillo, TX., brother Chris Enriquez and wife Elda of Italy, TX., sister Tina Silva and husband Amado of Toledo, OH., eleven grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, and nephews.

Maria has joined parents, Cruz and Eduarda, husband Herman Benavidez, Sr., daughter Lillie Flores, granddaughter Julie Flores, great grandson Dallas Andrew Munoz, brothers Manuel and Mario Enriquez, and sisters Eva Alfaro and Amanda Laudermilk.

You may sign the online guestbook at www.mendezandmullins.com