Dr. Esther Elizabeth Longoria McCord

Esther was born on March 5, 1947, in Brownsville, Texas, the daughter of Samuel Longoria and Marta Cavazos Longoria, both educators. She grew up surrounded by a deep respect for learning, discipline, and service to others.

She graduated from Villa Maria High School and went on to attend the University of Texas Pan American, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Esther later earned her PhD from the University of Texas at Austin.

Esther devoted her career to public education, working her way up through administrative leadership roles in several South Texas school districts. Over the course of her career, she served as a high school principal and later as superintendent of a school district, positions she held with conviction, resilience, and an unwavering belief in the power of education. She later retired from the Texas Education Agency.

She was a devout Catholic and attended St. Mary of the Visitation in Lockhart.

Esther loved traveling with family and friends whenever possible, enjoying trips throughout the United States, Mexico, and Europe.

She will be remembered for her determination to be the best at anything she set her mind to. She had an infectious personality, and people naturally gravitated to her humor, love, and insight. She never shied away from a challenge and left a lasting impression on everyone she met.

Esther is survived by her sons, Jeremy McCord and Joshua McCord; granddaughter, Breanna Alonzo; daughter-in-law, Danylle Salinas McCord; sister, Gloria Cantu; and her beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Marta Longoria, and her sister, Suzanne Peewee Longoria.

The family wishes to acknowledge with gratitude the caregivers and medical professionals who provided Esther with compassion and support during her final chapter, including the staff at Golden Age Assisted Living, Avir Magnolia, Aspen Hospice, as well as Drs. Renu and Arjun Mohandas.

A celebration of life will be held January 24, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., at Cook Walden Capital Parks in Pflugerville, Texas, with clergy officiating.

Flowers are welcome, or donations in Esther’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.