Laureles, TX- Maria Lilia Nieto, 78, of Laureles, TX passed away to be with the Lord on May 5, 2010; born on October 9, 1931 to Luis Nieto, Sr. and Jesusa A. Nieto. She was a cook for more than 50 years; she worked at Frankie's Restaurant/The Hilton/The Radisson and Sea Land Restaurant on South Padre Island and her 3 restaurant businesses that she owned and operated in Los Fresnos, until her retirement; she was also a member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Los Fresnos. Maria is survived by her 3 brothers, Ramiro Angel Nieto of Las Vegas, NV; Daniel Nieto of Van Horn, TX; and Luis (Lila) Nieto, Jr. of Los Fresnos, TX; 2 sisters, Victoria N. (Avaristo) Alvarez, Sr. of Laureles, TX; and Jesusa N. (Eluterio, Jr.) Pena of Shelley, ID; 18 nephews, 18 nieces and many good friends. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 7, 2010 from 3:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. with a Holy Rosary recited at 7:00 P.M. at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 3:00 P.M. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Los Fresnos. Interment will follow to Los Cuates Cemetery in Los Fresnos. Pallbearers will be Paulino Alvarez, Jesus Gonzalez, Luis Nieto, Ramiro Angel Nieto, Ernesto Ortiz and Abraham Alvarez. Words of comfort can be sent to the family of Maria Lilia Nieto at www.thomaegarza.com Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors, 395 S Sam Houston, San Benito, TX (956) 399-1331.