Port Isabel native, Guadalupe Portugal Etheridge, 79, died October 10th, 2020, in her home in Port Isabel, Texas, after a lengthy battle with heart failure. She was born September 9th, in Bayview, Texas, to Tomas and Antonia (Zamora) Portugal and a 1960 graduate of Port Isabel High School. She married the love of her life Capt. Jess Willard Etheridge in 1962. Together they built a business in the shrimping industry until his death in 1985. She was loved and revered in the community for her decades of service as the Chief Court Clerk for Justice of the Peace Bennie Ochoa in Port Isabel. She enjoyed helping people and felt it was her duty to serve everyone fairly and with respect. She enjoyed many adventures and get-togethers with her friends Alma, Gloria, Ida, and Lorraine. She had a wonderful sense of humor, sharp wit, and thoroughly enjoyed pranking her children. She is survived by her favorite daughters Sonya and Martha Etheridge, sisters Monse (Hank) Geier and Jesusa (Jimmy†) James, brother Tomas (Margarita†) Portugal, Sister in Law Francis (Henry Burr†) Etheridge, plus two grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces. She is preceded in death by her son Jess Willard Etheridge, Jr., her husband, Jess Willard Etheridge, Sr., brothers Belester and Katarino Portugal, parents Tomas and Antonia, and her beloved sister Maria Portugal. A graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at the Port Isabel Cemetery. We ask that you practice social distancing, wear a mask, and follow all CDC guidelines at the service. You may sign the online guestbook, light a remembrance candle, or send words of comfort to the family of Guadalupe Portugal Etheridge 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.