Candice Marie Martinez

Candice Marie Martinez, 41 years of age, passed away on March 2, 2026. She was born on June 22, 1984, to her loving parents, Jesus Oscar “Jesse” Benavides and Sally Ann Benavides.

Candice was a proud 2002 graduate of San Diego High School. She worked for the United States Postal Service and later Health and Human Services as a Medicaid caseworker. She continued her passion by dedicating herself to serving others by pursuing a Nursing Degree at Coastal Bend College.

Candice was a loving daughter, sister, mother, and grandmother whose kindness and warmth touched everyone who knew her. She will be deeply and sadly missed by her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Baldemar M. Benavides; her paternal great-grandparents, Santos and Carolina Benavides, and Guadalupe and Teodora P. Perez; her maternal great-grandparents, Jose Maria and Maria P. Barrera, and Manuel and Catarina “Katy” Garza; her paternal uncles, Oscar Benavides and Baldemar “Billy” Benavides, Jr.; and her paternal cousins, Jose Amancio Perez III, and Michael Kevin Adams.

Left to cherish her memory are her beloved daughters, Leana Carina Martinez-Benavides, Arianny Milla Martinez, and Isabella Catarina Martinez; her parents, Jesus Oscar “Jesse” Benavides and Sally Ann Benavides; her brother, Jo Oscar Benavides; and her treasured grandson, Jonathan Ray Viera, her paternal grandmother, Teodora P. Benavides; her maternal grandparents, Julio “J.C.” Garza and Olga Garza; and her special friend, Estrella “Star” Sliva.

She is also survived by her maternal aunt and uncle, Nelda Solis and Jesse Garza; her paternal aunts and uncles, Idalia “Lala” (Israel “Quate”) Gonzalez, Elsa (Jose Amancio, Jr.) Perez, Leticia (LeRoy) Adams, Analu (Billy) Steele, Lora (Javier) Silva, and Amy (Nate) Vasquez; along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends.

Candice’s love for her family was unwavering, and her memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who loved her.

Active Pallbearers: Ronnie Gonzalez, Mikey Vidal, Carlos Espinosa, Jr., Juan Villarreal, Jr., Gilbert Ray Martinez, and LeRoy Adams, Jr.

Honorary Pallbearers: Estrella “Star” Sliva, Angelica Villarreal, Anna Lisa Flores, and Angelica Smithwick.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Home. Rosary will be recited at 12:00 p.m.  followed by a Funeral Mass at 2:00 p.m. at St. Francis de Paula Catholic Church. Burial to follow at the San Diego Cemetery No.2.

Brave. Fierce. Unshakable.

Candice fought a long courageous battle with Autoimmune Encephalitis – a proud AE Warrior.


Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Homes, Inc. entrusted with arrangements.