Irma N. Cavazos

EDINBURG - Irma Nelda Cavazos, 83, went to be with our Lord on Monday June 16, 2025, in Edinburg. Mrs. Cavazos was preceded in death by her husband, Manuel Cavazos Jr., CPA.; her parents, Enrique and Micaela Longoria. Irma was born on July 6, 1941 to Micaela and Enrique Longoria in Rachal Texas. She was the oldest of two siblings and an able daughter assisting in many ways with the family business and ranch.

Irma attended and graduated from the Premont Education System in 1959 where she played basketball, volleyball, and other sports and was an excellent student. She left home and continued her education at Pan American College, now UTRGV. It was during her studies at Pan American that she met her late husband, Manuel Cavazos, Jr. Irma graduated with her Bachelors of Education in 1964. She and Manuel were married August 4, 1965. She found work quickly after graduation with the Edcouch Elsa School District. She later joined the La Joya school district. She retired from teaching when she and Manuel became parents. Irma raised five children with Manuel during their marriage. She never left being an educator behind, she guided her children to be strong minded independent thinkers. She nurtured their curiosities of sciences, music, literature and arts. She created a dark room in the family bathroom so her children could develop 35 mm film, helped them perform plays with hand puppets, and she was the hero, recovering stolen bikes and rushing to her children’s aid when they were ill or injured.

As her children ventured into the world Irma’s passion for Genealogy blossomed. Her research covered both Longoria and Cavazos family trees and is quite extensive. She was able to trace her lineage through Mexico back to Spain uncovering a relation to El Cid, a Legendary Spaniard. She attended many workshops, conventions and reunions gathering and organizing the history of the lands and lineage of her ancestors. Irma was gifted with natural talent a botanist would envy. She could nurture any plant from seed to grafting or propagation. To say she had a green thumb would not do her justice. Her knowledge of succulents, hoyas, orchids and roses was vast and her ability to work with citrus trees yielded many a plentiful backyard harvest. Working so close with nature her interests also expanded to minerals and geology.

Once Irma became a grandmother she was able to bestow her experience and knowledge to the next generation. Her grandchildren were fortunate to have her wisdom and experience to help guide them through their achievements and their struggles. Her grandchildren blessed her with five great grandchildren for her to love and indulge. She cared for her widowed mother in Manuel's and her loving family home. In later years she was also Manuel’s caregiver. Her nurturing touch was with them both until their final days. A loving light has faded from this world that enlightened all who were graced with her presence.

Mrs. Cavazos is survived by her children, Melinda La-Mar (Noe Garcia, Jr), Manuel III (Jamie McCutcheon), Mark Cavazos (Donella Saldaña) and twins James Conrad and John David Cavazos. Grandchildren: Christian Noe Garcia (Marina Moralez), Alishia Micaela Garcia, Dominick Ryan, Matthew Aaron and Mark Jacob Cavazos, Laura Irma and Christopher Liam Cavazos. Step grandchildren Mya, Paul, Teo, and Marco Alvardo; great-grandchildren, Matthew Aaron Cavazos II, Mia Arabella Garcia, Aaliyah Rene Garcia, Nathaniel Jameson Garcia and Henry Noe Garcia; her brother, Enrique Longoria (Ella); numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a 7 p.m. rosary on Monday June 23, 2025, at Legacy Chapels 4610 South Jackson Road in Edinburg. Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday June 24, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Edinburg. Interment will follow at Mateo Cemetery in Rachal. A gathering of family and friends will follow at the Parish Hall of St. Anne's Church 7199 USHwy 281 in Encino, where food and beverages will be served.

Funeral services are under the direction of Legacy Chapels in Edinburg.