Maria Santos Banuelos, 91, passed away Monday April 21, 2021 in Harlingen, Texas. Maria was born into a large family of where she was 1 of 13 children. She was a homemaker and she used her knowledge and culinary skills to make homemade cow cheese, brittle, Mexican dulce de calabaza, and pepitas just to name a few. Her specialty, however, was Mexican rice and homemade corn tortillas. She had 2 children of her own: Maria Felix and son Porfirio. She was always there and was willing to help anybody if she was able to. She fostered nieces and nephews helping her brother when they lost their mother even while raising her own children. That is just the caring and loving person that we all knew her to be. In addition to being a caring mother and grandmother she especially enjoyed being with the family. She spent her later years in life, after being diagnosed with dementia, with her daughter in San Benito, Texas. She is preceded in death by her mother: Maria Encarnacion Galvan (“Chona” as known by everyone) father: Benito Banuelos, husband: Braulio Martinez, son: Porfirio Martinez, brothers: Juan, Abelino, Senovio, Efren and sisters: Petra, 2 Caytanas. She is survived by her sister: Geronima Caytana, brothers: Melguides, Carmelo, and Bario, grandchildren: Margarita and her husband Rogelio Casto, Marcelina, Ernesto Jr., Alberto and his wife Sara Montemayor (who are expecting their 1st son), great-grandchildren: Amber, Miranda, Brianna, Ellie Castro and Carlos Ernesto Montemayor and Baby Montemayor who we expect in July. As per her request, she is to be cremated and a memorial service will be held a later date. You may sign the online guestbook and send words of comfort, flowers, or sympathy cards to the family of Maria Santos Banuelos at www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors and Crematorium, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.