Our beloved son, Mario Alberto Benavides, III, resident of Kingsville, Texas, gained his angel wings on Friday, May 24, 2019 at the age of 18. He was born on September 5, 2000 to Kristina Garza Vela and Mario Alberto Benavides, Jr. in Alice, Texas. Albert was recently accepted to Del Mar College where he was going to pursue a degree in Physical Therapy.
He loved spending time with family especially his cousins and would always joke that he would one day be famous. He had a contagious smile that could light up any room and could always be found laughing, singing and dancing. Albert enjoyed writing music and making YouTube videos. He constantly had a positive outlook on life and always put God first.
Albert was welcomed into Heaven by the Lord; his maternal great-grandparents, Petra Calderon and Juan Garcia and paternal grandfather, Crus Vela, Sr.
He leaves behind to cherish many wonderful memories his mother, Kristina Garza, Vela of Kingsville; his two fathers, Mario Alberto Benavides, Jr. of Hebbronville, Texas and Steven (Lisa) Vela of Driscoll, Texas; five brothers, Michael Benavides, Matthew Benavides, Jerry Benavides, Elijah Benavides all of Hebbronville and Andrew Aranda of Driscoll; two sisters, Carolina Vela and Alexandria Aranda both of Driscoll; maternal grandparents, Orlando (Susan) Garza of Laredo, Texas and Petra (Allen) Smith of Flour Bluff, Texas; paternal grandparents, Yolanda Vasquez of Hebbronville, Mario Alberto (Olinda) Benavides, Sr. of Hebbronville and Hortencia Vela of Driscoll; one nephew, Renzo Perez; best friend, Lilah Garza of Kingsville and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Pallbearers will be Louie Arredondo, Jonathan Rodriguez, Jacob Rodriguez, Esiqio De La Rosa, Mario Inocencio, Eric Perez, Sr., Norberto Cadena and Andrew Aranda. Honorary Pallbearers will be Rigoberto Calderon, Eliana Guzman, Eric Perez, Jr. and Jay Perez.
Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at the Funeraria Del Angel Howard Williams in Hebbronville with visitation beginning at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2019 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Hebbronville. Burial will follow at the Realitos Cemetery in Realitos, Texas.