Benita Valdez

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that we announce that our beloved mother, Benita A. Valdez, has gone to be with our Lord on Tuesday, August 25, 2015. She was 82 years old. She attended Laredo elementary schools and Raymond and Tirza Martin High School. She met the love of her life Tanis and they built a life together. Over fifteen years, they welcomed four children into their home. She was an active and dedicated member of San Luis Rey Church, as a choir member, and as the president of the Guadalupanas and Sagrado Corazon at San Luis Rey Church. Her surviving children remember her as a driven, brilliant woman and a patient mother who encouraged them to pursue their goals. She dedicated her time to various organizations including: Mary Help of Christians School PTC member, member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 669, coordinator for community activities to serve the elderly and disabled at Tanis Valdez Village, coordinator of the dance troop with the Matachines for Our Lady of Guadalupe festivity on December 12th at San Luis Rey Church, she was an officer and was awarded Woman of the Year with the Laredo AARP, and was also a member of the Epoca de Oro. She worked for LISD for 29 years as a teacher assistant. Several of the schools where she dedicated her love of reading and writing was at Tarver Elementary School and Tomas Sanchez Elementary School. She inspired children to always do their best and aspire for greatness. After becoming a widow she accepted the challenge of being a single parent. She instilled in her children the importance of getting an education and aspiring for greatness, as she did with her students. Her inspiration, encouraged her daughters and son to continue in their education. The family would like to express their utmost gratitude to: Dr. Jose R. Garcia, Laredo Quality Home Health, Doctors Hospital of Laredo, Regent Care Center, and Altus Hospice as well as other individuals who helped care for her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Estanislao Valdez of Laredo, Texas, her parents, Guadalupe and Petra Acosta of Laredo, Texas; Juan Damacio Acosta and her sisters, Maria N. Flores and Antonia Vargas. Benita is survived by her children, Patricia N. Valdez of Houston, Texas, Priscilla A. (Ramiro) Bueno, Sandra L. Valdez of San Antonio, Texas, and Gerardo E. Valdez. She has three grandchildren, Gerardo Eduardo Valdez Jr., Lauren N. Valdez, and Raymond V. Bueno. She is further survived by her siblings, Amelia Malacara, Guadalupe (Rosa) Acosta, Rufino (Angela) Acosta, Ernestina ( Robert) Blair, and Rosario (Eliseo) Valdez; as well as by numerous other loved relatives and friends. The viewing for Benita A. Valdez will be held on Monday, August 31, 2015 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Joe Jackson North; 1410 Jacaman Rd. where a Rosary will commence at 7 p.m. Funeral procession will depart on Tuesday, September 01, 2015 at 8 a.m. from Joe Jackson North to San Luis Rey Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 8:30 a.m. Interment will then follow at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. You may express your condolences to the family and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.