Esulinda Benavides

Esulinda “Linda Flores” Benavides of Angleton earned her eternal peace and healing on July 11, 2024, at 4:37 a.m. She was born on September 11, 1945, in Goliad, Texas to Manuel and Guadalupe Flores.

She is survived by her husband Severo Benavides. Her legacy will live on through her daughters: Deanna Ninneman, Santos Hinojosa and husband Jesus, Cindy Nunez and husband Rene, Linda Chairez and husband Saulo, Debra Kanetzky and husband Zane. Her greatest treasure and best role in life was Grandma to her grandchildren: Joann Flores, Jesus Hinojosa, Jr. and wife Wray Jean, Jose Hinojosa, Luis Hinojosa and wife Margaret, Mercedes Rodriguez, Zana Rodriguez and husband Brandon Ferguson, Erica Cardenas and husband Angel, Angelica Silva, Emma Kanetzky, Allyson Nunez, Gavin Kanetzky, Saulo Chairez, Jr., Yzavella Chairez; great-grandchildren: Frank Trevino, Jr., Aailyah Trevino, Angelith Flores, Steven Guzman, Kristianna Reyna, Claudia Hinojosa, Dalaney Rodriguez-Ferguson, Luis Hinojosa, Jr., A.J. Hinojosa, and Braydon Rodriguez-Ferguson; great-great-grandchildren: Angel and Johnn Flores, and Arcelia Mata.

She’s also survived by siblings Gloria Rodriguez, Esperanza Ramirez and partner Benny Tellez, Arnulfo Flores and wife Maria, brother-in-law Beto Hinojosa, and Olga Flores. She was proceeded in death by her parents, and brother Manuel Flores, Jr., sisters Angelina Blackerby and Maria Elena Hinojosa, nephew Reynaldo Rodriguez and niece Michelle Skipper.

Mom showed her loved to us by ensuring that we never went hungry, always had clean clothes, and by taking good care of us. She raised us to be strong women and to help others. Mom opened her home to family and friends when they were most in need. She was known for always stepping up to help others whether cooking or baking, going above her means giving rides to doctor’s appointments, errands, bingo hall, and to the store.

Her greatest role was that of GRANDMA, there will never be another. She was her grandchildren’s biggest supporter. She attended sporting events, plays, and award ceremonies, she went on field trips with them. She cheered them loud and proud. She was a fierce protector, but we all knew if there was a bee or a dog around even the grandkids were on their own.

She especially loved cooking and BBQing for her family. She made the best tortillas, beans, pollo con arroz, fried cornbread, arroz con leche, and all her baking was delicious. Basically, anything she cooked was made with love and therefore was scrumptious. She loved playing loteria and bingo with family and friends, dominoes, chicken foot, picking pecans. She was the best storyteller from snakes to picking cotton. Mom also loved the color red. Her nails were always bright red which matched her red lipstick, she never went anywhere without wearing her red.

No one will ever fill her shoes. She marched to the beat of her own drum and did things her way. She left a legacy of loves ones. Grandma as we all called her will truly be missed and she leaves us with shattered hearts that will never be the same.

Alzheimer’s is not for the faint of heart. We came together as a family and did the best we could. Thank you to those who walked this journey with us. Thank you to IPH Hospice Care’s wonderful staff specifically Andrea, Talena, Julie, Morgan, Kristyn, and Felicia. These wonderful ladies showed my mom and us nothing but kindness and understanding.

Mom left her impression on this world, although at the end of her time on Earth she no longer remembered, we remembered for her. We will carry her memories which will live on through us.

Services will be held on Wednesday July 17, 2024, at Palms Funeral Home, visitation from 5-7 p.m. A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 5 p.m. at the Nunez residence at 318 W. Plum in Angleton.