Maria Luisa Alvarez, 91, of San Benito, Texas, daughter of Monico and Angelina Alvarez, passed away on February 7, 2013. Ms. Maria Luisa Alvarez was employed by the Federal Government, initially at the Pentagon in 1942, and was the USDA employee with the most years of full time federal service with over 67 years; she retired in 2009. She was preceded by her parents; her sisters: Eleanor Messick, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Lucy Hartman, from San Benito, Texas; and her brother, Johnny Alvarez Sr. from Port Mansfield, Texas. Left to cherish her memory are: her brother, Tomas Alvarez Sr. from San Benito, Texas; her sisters: Esther Mills from Harlingen, Texas; Dolores Gonzalez from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Beatrice Cavazos from Brownsville, Texas, and Mary Angelina Alvarez-Beckham from Austin, Texas. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 from 12 pm to 9 pm, with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 7 pm, at Thomae-Garza Funeral Home in San Benito, Texas, Funeral Mass will be held at 10 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013 at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in San Benito. Interment will follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park. We are grateful for your prayers for our beloved who was called home by Our Divine Shepherd. May she rest in peace. You may sign the online guestbook and send words of comfort, flowers, or sympathy cards to the family of Maria Luisa Alvarez at: www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors, 395 S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas, (956) 399-1331.