Benilde "Bennie" Garza's Obituary
Benilde “Bennie” Mendoza Garza Benilde was born March 11, 1934, to Santos Olvera and Frank Mendoza in Kingsville, Texas. On March 9, 2014, she left this world to be with her Lord and Savior. As a 1953 graduate of San Antonio Tech High School, Bennie continued her education and graduated from San Antonio Part Time and Evening School with a Certificate in Nursing on August 31, 1954. On August 3, 1957, Bennie married the love of her life, Trinidad P. Garza at El Divino United Methodist Church in San Antonio, Texas. Bennie worked as an LVN until 1976 when she began her second career as a restaurateur, purchasing Ranchero Restaurant. Fulfilling her dreams, Bennie expanded her food business to the State Fair of Texas, introducing “Fajitas” as a new food item in 1983. Bennie believed in giving back to the community and was recognized for her accomplishments. She was a tireless volunteer at her church and her children’s schools. Bennie was known for helping those less fortunate, often giving free meals to the hungry and needy. She was a founding member of the Mexican American Business & Professional Women in the 1960’s, and later co-chaired the United Way of Dallas Committee for Mexican American Business Women. In the spring of 1983, she was named “Businesswoman of the Year” by the Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In August of 1983, Bennie was featured in “High Profile” in the Dallas Morning News. Other honors followed when in 1990, she was named “Female Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In 1993, she and the Garza family were honored as “Family of the Year” by the Dallas Concilio. Bennie is survived by daughters, Norma Garza, twins, Bernice Robledo (Richard), Denise DeLaCruz (Juan); son, Jerome Garza (Paula); grandchildren, Roxanne Herrera (Frank), Marcella Arms (Michael), Elias Starr, Myriam Ann Gomez, Christopher Cameron Robledo, Charles Christian Robledo, Frank Llaguno, Jr. (Dominque), Gabriel Llaguno (Valerie), Manuel Llaguno (Stephanie), Trinidad Clay Garza, Travis Jeffrey Garza, and Taylor Gabriel Garza; great- grandchildren, Elijah Michael Arms, Lucia Grace Arms, Destiny Marie Samaniego, Gabriela Adela Samaniego, Briana Claerist Samaniego, Jayden Roman Mendoza, Stella Rose Llaguno, Gavin Hulet, Emmalynn Dianne Llaguno, Noah Gabriel Esparza, Manuel Charles Llaguno, Sophia Isabella Herrera and Victoria Grace Herrera. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 13 at 6 PM, with viewing from 4:30-8 PM at Restland Memorial Chapel. The funeral service is on Friday, March 14 at 11 AM at Elmwood – El Buen Samaritano UMC located at 1315 Berkley, Dallas TX 75224. Memorials may be made in Bennie’s honor to Elmwood-El Buen Samaritano United Methodist Church, 1315 Berkley Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75224.
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