Irma Benavidez

After her valiant fight for her life in 2019, her battle resumed in March 2023. Her strong will to live and fight, unwavering faith in God, and the love and prayers of family, priests, and friends carried her through 5 more months with her family.

Irma Benavidez was born on April 16, 1941 in Corpus Christi, TX to Adolfo and Benita Flores Gutierrez. The third oldest child out of 8 siblings, sisters- Olga Gonzalez( Gunz), Oralia Arriaga ( Albert ), Diana Panto, Emily Zamudio ( Basillo), Velma Gutierrez and brothers - Adolfo Gutierrez, Rudy Gutierrez and step brother Adrian Gutierrez (Cissy).

Irma’s dream as a child, was to get married and have children. This was a vision and dream that she talked about regularly with her siblings.

Married for 67 years to her husband Rene Benavidez Sr, they raised 6 beautiful children. Belinda Sauceda( Danny), Patsy Cohen, Robert Benavidez, Melissa Hasette( Mark) , Rene Benavidez Jr. (Vanessa) and Imelda Mason( Eric) in Corpus Christi, TX.

Irma was a very kind and loving mother and grandmother. Her selfless generous, and compassionate soul played a critical role in raising her children and has resonated through the generations.

Irma was a very kind and loving mother and grandmother. In addition to raising her children, Irma embraced the opportunity to care for and shape the lives of over 100 children- many of whom called her their second mother for many, many years.

Possessing a true servant’s heart, Irma faithfully cared for family and friends through delicious cooking and baking from scratch . Irma was known for her famous recipes, especially her famous delicious enchiladas. A beautiful woman of faith and the heart of the Benavidez family, Irma shaped their spirituality by her tireless Christian example, and also through various Catholic charismatic prayer groups and activities with a real zest for life. Irma Benavidez loved to pray and prayed the rosary daily. She loved to draw( she was an amazing artist) , loved to sing, loved scratch offs, loved to play Bingo(Weber Bingo). When she could no longer go to play bingo, she played Bingo with her children and grandchildren at home. Irma was known as ( Grandma Bingo). She absolutely loved yard sales and resale. She had a beautiful shop of her own at a flea market and was so very proud of the items she would find to resale. She was always excited when she met new people at her shop. She loved to meet people. She was intrigued by their personalities, their backgrounds, their stories. Irma could engage a conversation (which she loved more than anything), she would talk to them, even if it was just to share a laugh. Irma loved to chat with friends and family with her iPad.There was not a day or night that went by without a phone call/ video call from her to say I Love you.

Irma was known for her ease in frequent conversations with even total strangers, some may be surprised to learn of the extreme shyness of her youth. Yet even as a child, she possessed a contagious smile and an entertaining sense of humor. Throughout her life, she maintained a sweet and simple demeanor that won the trust and hearts of many, who even now are being changed by her witness of her eagerness to help others, her caring heart, deep love for her children, family, friends, strangers, church , her constant nurturing, love and faith. Her signature gift of giving and joy, shown through her constant smiling, laughter, and joking around, (she always had the best jokes), will never be forgotten.

Irma was a proud grandmother to 10 grandchildren, Lydia, James, Victoria, Rene III, Marco, Andres, Joshua, Olivia, Isabella and Sophia.

Irma was a proud great grandmother to 4 great grandchildren- Layla, Asa, Lucy Bea and Ashton.

Other family and friends, too many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, god children and friends to list or even count.

Irma was preceded by her loving son Rene Benavidez Jr, her parents Adolfo and Benita Gutierrez

Thank you Nurses on Wheels, the beautiful nurses and staff that gave the BEST care to our mother, all the nurses and doctors at the hospital and to all her family and friends for you love, compassion, and prayers.

A visitation for Irma will be held Thursday, August 31, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at Funeraria Del Angel Everhart, 4901 Everhart Road, Corpus Christi, TX 78411 with holy rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass of christian burial will occur at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, September 1, 2023 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 5830 Williams Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78412 followed by Committal Service at 11:00 a.m. at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery, 9974 I-37, Corpus Christi, TX 78410.