Thelma Ruiz

Thelma B. Ruiz was called home to be with the Lord in the early morning hours of January 12, 2021. She was born on May 16, 1955 to Francisca (Zamora) Benites and Eduardo Benites, Sr. in Kingsville, Texas. Thelma was a devoted wife of 40 years to her husband Manuel, and mother to her son Aaron. She began her life’s work in education with Kingsville ISD in 1975 and worked for the district at both Lamar Elementary and Memorial Middle School, until her retirement in 2000. In 2001, Thelma was blessed to have her dream business of opening her flower shop, “Thelma’s Gifts, Flowers, and More” in downtown Kingsville, until 2006, when illness forced her to shut its doors. In 2009, she reentered her love of education when she worked for Headstart for a time, and then with Santa Gertrudis ISD since 2013, where she loved working with her Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 classes. Thelma’s passion was shaping little minds for the future and enjoyed working with “her babies” every day. She helped teach generations of children, including the children of those she first worked with many years earlier. She was a loud and proud fan of the Lady Lions Softball Team, rarely missing a game every season. Thelma was bold in her faith with the Lord, just as her mother before her, and was a dedicated member of Bethel Church in Kingsville. She was always the first to do anything for God and her church. Thelma will forever be remembered as a gentle, loving, and beautiful person to all those who knew her and got a chance to meet her. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and coworkers.

She was preceded in death by both her parents; brothers, Ramiro Benites, Eduardo Benites, Jr., Prisciliano Benites, Sr.; and sister, Irma Benites.

Thelma is survived by her husband, Manuel Ruiz; son, Aaron Ruiz; sisters, Sally (Benjamin) Hernandez, Chris Ramos, Ida (Ismael) Maldonado, Diana (Amado, Jr.) Trevino; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 17, 2021 at Turcotte-Piper Mortuary with a prayer service to begin at 7:00 p.m. that evening. A chapel service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 18, 2021 at Turcotte-Piper Mortuary. Interment will follow at Chamberlain Cemetery.

Services are entrusted to Turcotte-Piper Mortuary, 205 General Cavazos Blvd. Kingsville, Texas 78363.