She was born October 8, 1922 to Juan and Antonia Balli Avila.
She was a loving mother and grandmother. Mrs. Benitez came from a pioneer family in Donna, Texas and was a descendent of the Balli family.
She was a sales lady in fine furniture and jewelry for many years in the Rio Grande Valley.
Survivors: son, Aubin Benitez, Jr. and wife, Beverly, Clearlake, TX, daughter, Mamie Campbell and husband, Raul, son, Rudy Benitez and wife, Anna; and son, J.C. Benitez and fianc'ee, Susanna Miranda, all of San Antonio; grandchildren, Laura Ann Geisler and husband Kurt of Dallas, TX; Pamela Culver and husband, George; Priscilla Crosser and husband, Sam; Aubin Benitez III and Rebeka Benitez all of Houston, TX; Elizabeth Maria Benitez and Daniel Benitez both of San Antonio, TX; great grandchildren, Erika Geisler, Arden Culver and George Griffin Culver; numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to extend special appreciation and gratitude to all of Maria's doctors and staff at the Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital and the staff at Morning Side Manor Nursing Home.
