Elma B. Gutierrez

EDINBURG – ELMA B. GUTIERREZ, age 90, went to be with the Lord and passed away peacefully on May 30, 2023, in Edinburg, Texas.

Elma was born in Hebbronville, Texas to Juan Manuel and Jovita Benavides, on February 1, 1933.  She was the oldest of 2 children: Carmen B. Gonzalez, Elma’s only sister.  Elma lost her mother at the age of 11.  At this time, she no longer attended school to care and attend to her father.  Her adoring father Juan Manuel and aunt Otila Benavides raised Elma and Carmen with great faith and strong beliefs in our Father God and Lord Jesus Christ.  With a simple and humble upbringing, as a beautiful young lady, Elma met the love of her life, Salvador Jesus Gutierrez, at a dance in Zapata, Texas.

They married at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Zapata, Texas, on November 22, 1951.  God blessed Elma and Salvador with 3 children, Jovita, Sidney James, and Cynthia Ann.  Our family was immensely blessed with 1 grandson Marco Javier Davila, wife Tanya S. Davila, and 2 great grandchildren, Dylan Paul and Avery Grace; her sister, Carmen B. (Jaime A.) Gonzalez; nephews, Jaime A. Gonzalez Jr. (Rina), Daniel Gonzalez (Abigail), and Annabel Alvarez. Elma is preceded in death by her parents, Juan Manual and Jovita Benavides and her husband, Salvador J. Gutierrez.

Our mother devoted her life to our family as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Our mother and father were devout Catholics and were very dedicated to serving Holy Family Church in Edinburg, in many ways: bible study teachers and counselors. Elma loved being a housewife as she enjoyed cooking, gardening, celebrating special occasions, and family gatherings. She especially enjoyed music and dancing as well as attending wedding and parties. Our parents were always the best couple on the dance floor. Our mother taught us children the importance of love, respect, responsibility, to uphold high morals and encouraged us to succeed in obtaining our goals.

Our Dad Salvador, went to be with the Lord on July 9, 1996. After our Dad’s passing, our Mother quickly learned and obtained the abilities needed to become independent and succeed in everyday life. Our Mother lived a very Blessed and harmonious life, she passed very peacefully. Though it hurts to know our Mother is no longer with us physically, the memories we shared will always be with us as her legacy will continue in our hearts every day. We thank God for choosing her to be our Mother, as we were truly blessed to have had the privilege of being her children.

We will continue to pass on her teachings of faith and believing in Almighty God and Jesus, to her only grandson Marco and to his children.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a 7 p.m. rosary Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at Legacy Chapels 4610 South Jackson Road in Edinburg. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 8, 2023, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Edinburg. Interment will follow at Valley Memorial Gardens in Mission.

Funeral services are under the direction of Legacy Chapels in Edinburg.