Benita M. Chavarria

A visitation for Benita will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2022 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Chapel. A rosary will occur Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 7 p.m. A mass of Christian burial with Monsignor John McCaffrey officiating, will occur Friday, December 2, 2022 at 12 p.m. at St Joseph Catholic Church. Entombment will follow at Msgr. Gleissner Mausoleum.

Our Mother, Benita Chavarria, 96, passed away on November 25, 2022. Born and raised in Gause Texas, to Alberto and Magdalena Moncibiaz, where she grew up surrounded by her family, which included her grandparents. As a young lady her parents would often chaperone her and her friends to nearby communities where they enjoyed dancing. Her family later moved to Bryan, Texas, and as a young woman she worked at Martin’s Bakery in downtown Bryan.

She married Lawrence Chavarria Sr. in her early 20s and became a homemaker, raising their three children in Bryan. She was employed at Texas A&M Laundry Service, and in their later years, they became co-owners of Graces Grocery, where she would be seen Bar-B-Quing brisket and sausage links. After several years, she worked for Nicky’s Grocery, and also worked at St. Joseph Catholic School Cafeteria.

Our parents would often attend dances at the Bryan Country Club and enjoyed riding horses where they became members of the Brazos Valley Trail Riders Association. She was a member of El Club Social and helped organize fundraising for local charities by hosting events. Mom was a member of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church and was part of the Guadalupana Association for many years. She later joined St. Joseph Catholic Church, where her children attended.

Our Mother was a very strong and independent woman. She enjoyed working and worked until her late 70s. Our Mother was a woman of principle, conviction, and devoted to her Catholic faith. She was stern and this quality helped mold our character. She would often be seen mowing her yard and working in her garden in her later years. Mother enjoyed walking around her neighborhood and using her exercise machine. Our mother instilled a strong work ethic in us and encouraged her children and grandchildren to work hard to support their family. She helped us through our difficult times, telling us to never give up on ourselves, and encouraged us to continue moving forward and was always there to offer her guidance.

Our Mother is proceeded in death by her parents Alberto and Magdalena Moncibiaz, her brother Guadalupe Moncibiaz, her aunt Louisa Salazar, father of her children Lawrence Chavarria Sr., grandson Efrain Arredondo and son-in-law Julian Arredondo.

Our Mother leaves behind her sister, Julia Lopez and husband Alfredo, her children Lawrence Chavarria Jr., Yolanda Arredondo, and Wanda Hernandez and husband Louis. Her grandchildren, Christopher Arredondo and wife Kathy, Greg Chavarria and wife Mary Beth, Bridget Arredondo, Daniel Rueda III, Frank Arredondo and wife Kristi, Laura Arenas and husband Adrian, Luis Hernandez and wife Monique. She also leaves behind her great grandchildren Jacob Woodard-Rueda, Taylor Chavarria, Jade Chavarria, Reece Rueda, Lucas Arredondo, Aubree Arredondo, Christian Arredondo, Ethan Arredondo, Carter Arredondo, and Jordan Arredondo. As well as numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

Our Mother passed away peacefully at Legacy Nursing and Rehab Facility surrounded by her family after losing her battle to Dementia. Our family would like to thank Legacy and the Brazos Valley Hospice and the numerus caregivers, nurses, and support staff for their kindness and compassion to our mother.