Norma Cabaza Adams

Norma Cabaza Adams, age 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Round Rock, Texas. She was born on April 8, 1935, in San Benito, Texas to Luis and Esperanza Cabaza.

She and her husband, Alfred (Fred) Adams, met in San Benito as teenagers and were married on December 26, 1954. They enjoyed nearly 60 years of marriage where they spent time traveling and participating in social, faith, and community organizations. They raised a family of four children where they served as examples of love, service, and family values.

Norma Adams was fiercely independent, strong-willed, and passionate about the arts and education. She was a state officer of the women’s organization, the Alliance of the Pan-American Round Table. Norma was a woman of faith and the matriarchal backbone of her family. She was quick-witted with a “dicho” or joke followed by her radiant smile. She had a galvanizing spirit, instilled confidence in the people she loved, and encouraged others to achieve whatever they set their minds to.

As a child of the Depression era in the Rio Grande Valley, Norma saw the immense value of earning an education. She never strayed from hard challenges. Her advocacy for learning and education was a fundamental core value she taught her family: “Education is the one thing no one can take away from you.” She graduated top of her class at San Benito High School where she was a proud member of the Greyhound band. From there she went on to continue her studies at Texas Southmost College and St. Edward’s University in Austin where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies while raising her family. Her perseverance and tenacity paired with her lifelong appreciation for learning and understanding discourse helped her become a trailblazer in the professional world, paving future opportunities within the Hispanic community.

Norma served as an investigator in the Department of Labor - Harlingen Field Office for more than 20 years. After earning her degree, she moved into the upper echelon where she was posted as the Assistant District Director in Dallas, Texas, and later retired in 1996 as the District Director of the Wage and Hour Division in Albuquerque, New Mexico after over 34 years of service. She was honored with numerous awards and accolades including a commendation plaque and a letter from then-Texas Governor George W. Bush along with a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol presented to her by the office of the former Secretary of Labor, Elizabeth Dole, former Congressman Kika de la Garza, and Solomon Ortiz. A proclamation in her hometown of San Benito was issued by former Mayor Cesar Gonzalez, establishing September 2nd as Norma Cabaza Adams Day.

Norma and Fred settled in Round Rock, Texas during her retirement years. She enjoyed spending time with family by people-watching in the evenings with Fred and sharing her love of the arts and culture by attending the annual summer musical at the Zilker Hillside Theatre with her granddaughters. She became a survivor of breast cancer thanks to the cutting-edge care she received at MD Anderson Cancer Center. She was a strong supporter of research and early detection through the Susan G. Komen organization. She participated in support and advocate groups in the area and maintained her health by regularly attending group fitness classes at the local YMCA.

Her strength and spirit will forever be remembered. Norma was always willing to provide a helping hand to anyone in need and her legacy will continue to live on through all the people who love her.

Norma is preceded in death by her parents, Luis and Esperanza Cabaza, husband, Fred Adams, sister, Irma Cabaza Jones and husband Frank Jones, and eldest son, Alfred (Freddy) Louis Adams, and son-in-law, Steven C. Tyler.

She is survived by her children, Robert E. Adams (Mary) of Harlingen, TX, MaryAnne Adams-Tyler Finch (William) of Trinity, TX, and Angela Adams of Round Rock, TX. Grandchildren include Rick Tyler (Dawn) of Aurora, MS, Elyse Tyler Carson (Hunter) of Kingwood, TX; Camille Tyler (Scott LaMarche) of Palm Bay, FL; Alyssa Norton (Christopher) of Georgetown, TX; Abigail Molder (Andrew) of Leander, TX; and Anika Adams of San Antonio, TX. Great-grandchildren include Sean Tyler, Jane Carson, Anna Carson, and Frances Carson.

Norma’s family will receive friends and relatives on Wednesday, March 13 at 4:00 PM with a recitation of the Holy Rosary to be held at 7:00 PM at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home. A funeral mass will occur at 10:00 AM at Our Lady Queen of the Universe Catholic Church in San Benito, with Interment immediately following at Mont Meta Memorial Park on Thursday, March 14.

Pallbearers will be Patrick Brady, Leeroy Corkill, William Finch, David Galvan, Gustavo Gonzalez, Andrew Molder and Christopher Norton.

The family is thankful for the expert care and love she received from the staff at Enhabit Hospice Care and Round Rock Assisted Living where she lived until her passing.

In lieu of flowers, the Adams family welcomes memorial donations to MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Alzheimer's Association.