Lydia E. Cortez, 88, of San Benito, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at her residence surrounded by her loving family. Lydia was a resident of San Benito/El Ranchito, Texas and attended Valley Christian Assembly Church. She enjoyed dressing up for the holidays and special events. Lydia dearly loved her brothers and sisters and she especially enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchild. She is preceded in death by her husband, Toribio Cortez, family members: Margarita Sosa, Ruperto Ibarra, Jose Angel Ibarra, Cruz Ibarra, Alejandro Ramos, and Zorrobabel Manuel Flores. Left to cherish her memory are her children: Daisy (+Alfredo) Flores, Manuel R. (Velma) Mercado, Cynthia Cortez, and Rodolfo Cortez, her siblings: Federico Ibarra, Mely Arias, Beatrice De Lucio, Melba Villagómez, and Rosario Aguilar, her grandchildren: Alfedo Flores Jr., Manuel R. Flores, Valerie Mercado, and Krystina Gil, great-grandchildren: Alfredo Flores III, Jonathan Flores, Daisy Flores, Jasmin Flores, Steven Rey Galvan, Ryan Jose Galvan, Jesus Arian Sanchez, and Julian Sanchez, and one great-great-grandchild, Elena Rose Flores. Numerous nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held on Monday, January 8, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito, Texas. A Chapel Service will be held on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home with a burial to follow to San Benito City Cemetery in San Benito, Texas. Honored to serve as Pallbearers are Alfredo Flores Jr., Manuel R. Flores, Manuel Mercado, Jesus Sanchez, Federico Ibarra Jr., and Rene Cortinas. Honorary Pallbearers are Steven Ray Galvan, Ryan Joe Galvan, Jesus Arian Sanchez, and Julian Sanchez. You may sign the online guestbook, light a remembrance candle, or send words of comfort to the family of Lydia E. Cortez at www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Home and Crematorium, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.