Dora Luz Garza Padilla

Dora Luz Garza Padilla, 83, of San Benito, passed away on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Valley Baptist Medical Center.

Dora was the oldest of 13 children, eight boys and five girls. She enjoyed spending time with her family at barbeques, listening to music and dancing, playing loteria, and buying and wearing lots of jewelry. She also enjoyed volunteering at Amigos De Valle, where she lived for the last 13 years.

She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Eduardo and Elodia Mancillas Garza and her great-nephew, Justin Gomez.

She was survived by her loving son, Ernesto (Nora Jean) Padilla Jr.; her granddaughters, Zada Maddox Dodson Padilla and Analee Renteria; and her 12 brothers and sisters, Eduardo (Reyna) Garza Jr., Irma (Romeo +), Alfredo (Aida) Garza Sr., Mariano (Sylvia) Garza Sr., Imelda Garza, Janie (Arnulfo Nuko) Flores, Josie Garza, Arturo Garza, Richard Garza, Herman Garza, Arnold (Eva) Garza, and Peter Garza. She is also survived by many nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces.

Her son Ernesto Padilla Jr. and Daughter-in-law Nora Jean Padilla would like to thank Dora’s brother, Richard Garza, her granddaughter Zada Maddox Dodson Padilla, and her neighbor Mr. Narciso Garcia for taking care of her, bringing her food, keeping her company for the last several years

Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 13, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 9:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home with a recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church in San Benito. Following the Mass, Dora will be laid to rest at Mont Meta Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Richard Garza, Carlos Garza, Matthew Flores, Paul Garza, Arnold Garza Jr., and Aiden Flores.

Honorary Pallbearers are her brothers: Eduardo Garza Jr., Alfredo Garza Sr., Mariano Garza Sr., Arturo Garza, Richard Garza, Herman Garza Sr., Arnold Garza, and Peter Garza.