San Benito - Irma Delgado, 76, a long-time resident of the San Benito area, died Friday the 18th of March at Harlingen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Born in 1935 in San Benito, Texas, Irma spent her early years in Linares, Nuevo Leon, Mexico and was reared by her maternal grandmother after her mother, Hermerejilda Reyes, died when Irma was only six months of age. While in Mexico, she spent her formative years in the company of her extended family and cultivated a few special friendships that became a part of her family who she cherished all of the days of her life. Irma met Enrique Delgado, originally from San Benito, Texas, in Mexico and they married on January 4, 1952. They moved to San Benito, Texas and started their family. Irma was employed with the City of San Benito, at the JC Penney store in downtown San Benito, and at the accounting department at Dolly Vinsant Memorial Hospital for 26 years until her retirement in 2000. Irma was a devout Christian and spent countless hours in service of the Lord as a member of the Disciples of Christ Church and attended numerous state and national church conventions throughout her life. She cultivated a deep religious faith in the company of her husband Enrique and instilled this same faith in each of her children. She is preceded in death by her parents: Marcos Tijerina and Hermerejilda Reyes Tijerina; one sister, Odilia Rodriguez; and one brother, Hilario Tijerina. She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Enrique T. Delgado of San Benito, TX; two daughters: Dahlia Tovar and Herlinda (Judge Daniel T.) Robles of San Benito, TX. ; Two sons: Enrique Jr. (Leticia) Delgado of Brownsville, TX and Orlando (Trish) Delgado of Deer Park, TX. ; ten grandchildren: Elizabeth (Chastan A.) Tovar, Erika ( Demontrey) Tovar, Maritza S. Robles, Daniel T. Robles II, Guillermo E. Delgado, Gabriela E. Delgado, Nathaniel (Alejandra) Delgado, Joel Ortiz, Michael Delgado, and Ethan Delgado; six great-grandchildren: Aliah Ann Thomas, Alina Ann Thomas, Armani Renee Roberts, Juandamarco Earl Sykes, Jadarius Washington, and Aiden Maximiliano Delgado. She is also survived by several nephews, nieces, and extended family throughout the U.S. and Mexico. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 20, 2011 from 2:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at Thomae Garza Funeral Home in San Benito. Funeral Service will be held on Monday, March 21, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. at Iglesia Cristiana Emmanuel located on 335 Coral St. in San Benito. Entombment will follow to Mont Meta Memorial Park in San Benito. Pallbearers will be Enrique Delgado, Jr., Orlando Delgado, Judge Daniel T. Robles, Nathaniel Delgado, Guillermo E. Delgado, Daniel T. Robles II, and Brandon Dahlman. Words of Comfort may be sent to the family of Irma Delgado at www.thomaegarza.com. Funeral Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Thomae-Garza Funeral Directors 395. S. Sam Houston, San Benito, Texas 956-399-1331.