Longtime resident of the Austin and Kyle area, Leticia D. Benavides passed away peacefully at her home in Kyle, Texas, on February 8, 2025, at 5:20 p.m., surrounded by her loving family. She was 63 years old.
Leticia was preceded in death by her father, Alfonso Lopez Davila, and her brother, Mike D. Davila. She is survived by her mother, Enriqueta De La Peña Davila, Aunt Armandina De La Peña and siblings: sister Olga Davila, and brother Alfonso D. Davila (Sylvia), all of Corpus Christi, Texas.
She is also survived by her husband of 42 years, Elario Alejandro Benavides Sr., of Kyle, Texas, and their two sons: Elario Alejandro Benavides Jr. (Elexis) of San Marcos, Texas, and Michael Andrew Benavides (Crystal) of Kyle, Texas. Leticia's greatest joy were her two beautiful grandchildren, Zaya Celine Benavides and Bryant Abel Benavides, who also live in Kyle, Texas.
Leticia was born on October 1, 1961, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Alfonso Lopez Davila and Enriqueta De La Peña. As the youngest of four children, she grew up surrounded by love and support. Her passion for sports began early; at the age of 12, she was a cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys Youth Football program. Throughout her school years, she also enjoyed participating in her school’s band at Thomas Jefferson Junior High and A.C. Jones High School.
Leticia met her future husband, Elario Alejandro Benavides, in 7th grade through her best friend and future sister-in-law, Nora Alice Benavides. They didn’t start dating until her sophomore year of high school. During her time at A.C. Jones High School, she was a talented twirler, performing for three consecutive years in her sophomore, junior, and senior years. Leticia was also a clarinet player in the band all four years at A.C. Jones High School, graduating in 1980.
After high school, Leticia moved to Corpus Christi, where she attended Del Mar College while working at Green’s Jewelers. She married Elario Alejandro Benavides in Corpus Christi on July 17, 1982. A few years later, in 1989, the family moved to Austin, Texas. Leticia began her career at First City Bank on Congress Avenue. She began her career at the Texas State Railroad Commission, where she worked for 7 years before moving on to the Texas Attorney General’s Office. She retired in 2016 after a total of 27 years of dedicated state service. While working full time, Leticia earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Concordia University in Austin. While at Concordia University 2009 she had to develop plans for a small business that eventually came to fruition known as "A Taste of Chocolate." She ran the business successfully for 13 years alongside her Husband and business partner Larry Benavides. Where they provided their services Weddings, Quinceañeras, Anniversaries, and Christmas parties, that included serving guests ranging from 50-2000. Eventually Closing the business in 2023 after 13 years of services. After a short break, she returned to work with the Austin Independent School District, where she retired in March 2023 after 7 years.
Leticia found true happiness in the company of her family, especially her sons and grandchildren. But perhaps her greatest joy came from spending time at her “Happy Place”—the casino. Whether it was at Kickapoo Casino in Eagle Pass, Windstar in Oklahoma, Golden Nugget or L’Auberge in Lake Charles, Louisiana, or the Venetian in Las Vegas, Leticia was in her element when enjoying the thrill of the game.
Leticia will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her. Though we mourn her loss, we take comfort in knowing that she is in a better place, and we look forward to the day we will be reunited with her.
A visitation for Leticia will be held Wednesday, February 19, 2025 from 8:30 AM to 9:15 AM at St. Anthony Marie de Claret, 801 Burleson St, Kyle, TX, with the Rosary starting at 9:15 AM, followed by the funeral mass at 10:00 AM. The graveside will take place immediately following the mass at Cook Walden Forest Oaks Memorial Park, 6300 W William Cannon Dr Austin Tx 78749.
