Dora Mae Canales

Dora Mae Couling Canales, of Benavides, Texas, peacefully left this world at the incredible age of 91 on August 9, 2025. Her spirit, vibrant and unwavering, touched the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Born on August 24, 1933, in La Rosita, Texas, to the loving parents Mike and Santos Espinoza Couling, Dora’s life was a testament to resilience, grace, and devotion. She graduated with Valedictorian honors from Benavides High School in 1951 and went on to attend Texas Women’s University in Denton. In 1955, she married her love, Roel Canales, and together they built a life filled with love, laughter, and unwavering dedication. Their journey brought them to Corpus Christi where they nurtured a beautiful family of six children (along with their numerous friends and cousins), sharing both everyday moments and experiences, whether in the city or at the ranch, that has become their legacy. After retiring, they returned to their ranch in Benavides, where they enjoyed the peaceful country life until health issues prompted a move back to Corpus, culminating in the “best of both worlds”.

She leaves behind a loving family who will forever hold her memories close: her children Cindy (Carlos) Guzman, Nora Milner, Dan Canales, Paul (Dana) Canales, and Rosie (Jason) Ortiz. She also leaves behind her beloved sisters, Fidela Salinas and Minerva Carrillo of Benavides, and Eva Goulding from Dallas. Dora loved being the best grandma ever to Kristina Guzman, Shannon Gunkel, Dallas (Amanda) Guzman, Misty Caffey, Amanda Milner, Andrea (Patrick) Hernandez, April (April) Milner, Wendy (JD) Seaney, Matthew Canales, Michael Canales, Grace Canales, Rebecca Canales, Blake Canales, Madison Vila, Taylor Vila, Sydney Vila, and Ava Rose Ortiz. She will be deeply missed by countless nieces, nephews, “greats” and friends as well.

Dora was preceded in death by her husband, Roel; her son, Carlos; her parents; her siblings, Margarita (Gilberto) Hinojosa, Rudolfo (Elvira) Couling, Pauline (Chano) Ramos Alaniz, Jesse (Doris) Couling, Emma (Leandro) Martinez, and Edna (Joe) Pena; and her son-in-law, Jimmy Milner.

Throughout her life, Dora worked as a librarian and health coordinator at St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic School. She was deeply involved in her faith while working with the school and church and made sure her children grew up with that same sense of faith. While in Benavides, she was actively involved with Santa Rosa Catholic Church and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court Father Juan Zavala #2012.

She loved tending to her garden and cherished spending time with her family and friends. Not only did she hold strong ties with her hometown friends and family, but she also had a special bond with her Corpus besties, Gilma, Minerva, and her lifelong, dearest friend Chole, who was by her side for over 70 years.

A rosary will be held on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 7pm at Memory Gardens Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at Memory Gardens Funeral Home on Thursday August 21, 2025 at 11am, with interment services at 1pm at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery.

The family wants to express their heartfelt gratitude to Aadi Home Health and Hospice for their compassionate care during this time. Diane and Alicia, thank you for your support over the past five years — you are truly like family. Crystal, Eva, Jessica, and Felicia, thank you for caring for Mom with so much love and kindness. Your guidance and dedication meant the world to us and made sure she was always comfortable.

A special thank you to Yvonne, Rossana, Carmen, Mellie, and MJ — our family wouldn’t be complete without you. Mom loved you all so much. You helped us provide the best possible quality of life for her in her final years, filling her days with laughter, and her nights with smiles (and margaritas!), learning new things, and joining her closest circle of friends.