Dora Lee Cruz

Dora Lee Cruz, 72, peacefully passed from this life on September 26, 2020 in Buda, Texas.  She was born to the late Gregorio and Lydia V. Hernandez on August 30, 1948 in San Benito, Texas.

Dora Lee was a proud graduate of San Benito High School.  She found great joy in working with children and became a licensed day care worker.  She was employed by Discoveryland Daycare for ten years before her retirement.  Dora Lee also loved being involved in church and being with her church family.

She was preceded in death by her sons, Pedro Eugene “Gino” Cruz and Aaron J. Cruz; parents, Gregorio and Lydia V. Hernandez; and brother, Ramiro Hernandez.

Left to treasure Dora Lee’s memory are her children, Guillermo (Abby) Cruz III, Dora Cruz Alvarado, Norma L. (Fernando) Escobedo, Santiago (Vanessa) Cruz, Lamar (Victoria) Cruz, Tom (Veronica) Cruz, Isidro (Genevieve) Cruz, and Robert (Britany) Cruz.

In addition to being a wonderful mother to her children, Dora Lee was an amazing grandmother to Aaron Cruz, Anakin J. Cruz, Connie Josephine Cantu, Veronica Alyssa Cruz, Elsa Racine De Leon, Delfina Alvarado, Ashley Marie Cruz, Nicholas Darian Mendoza, Ryan Phillip Escobedo, Jeremy Cruz, Greg Cruz, Mia Cruz, Leah Cruz, Lamar Cruz, Jr., Anthony Cruz, Rochelle Cruz, Michael Cruz, Makayla Cruz, Angelin Starr Cruz, Vaughn Taylor Cruz, Fabrizio Cruz, Brooklyn Rene Cruz, Suri Lee Cruz, Jaxon Edward Cruz, Ty Logan Cruz, Skylene Grace Cruz, Robert Michael Cruz, Allie Jo Cruz, Aliyah Ace Cruz, Denise Autumn Leal, Joshua Michael Leal, Santiago Eduardo Cruz, and Matt Evan Cruz.

She is also survived by her siblings, Celeste “Nena” Trevino, Gregorio “Nunie” Hernandez, Tila Tilton, Jane Rodriguez, Rosa Esquivel, Homero Hernandez, and Hector Hernandez.

Dora Lee’s family will receive friends and relatives on Friday, October 2, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at San Benito Funeral Home.  A prayer service will begin at 7 o’clock on Friday evening. (Click the link below to view the prayer service via live-stream.) She will be laid to rest on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at Mont Meta Memorial Park. 

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Tom Cruz, Robert Cruz, Santiago Cruz, Isidro Cruz, Fernando Escobedo, and Lamar Cruz.  Guillermo Cruz III will serve as honorary pallbearer.

The family wishes to thank the congregations of the churches where Dora Lee attended and the doctors and staff where she received treatment.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 W. Business 77, San Benito, Texas 78586.  956.291.4644 www.sanbenitofuneralhome.com.

All guests must wear a facial covering and maintain social distancing while visiting the funeral home.