Beverly Cantu

Mrs. Beverly Buchanan Cantu passed away on March 27, 2015 surrounded by her children.  She was the beloved wife of Ben Cantu, Jr.  Ben and Beverly were married on August 29, 1959 and were married for 50 years.  She was born on September 14, 1939 to the late Lauren Lafayette Buchanan and Mildred Faye Cullum in San Antonio, Texas.  Ben and Beverly moved to Laredo 35 years ago where they established Border Beverage, the Miller Brewing and Import beer distributorship.

Though Beverly lived in different areas of Texas, she proudly called Laredo her South Texas home.  She worked to continually improve the cultural life of Laredo for all.  She was a Board Member of several organizations including the Laredo Art League, the Women’s City Club, and the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra Society.  She had a deep belief in encouraging and helping South Texas’ youths with her patronage of the Zapata County Fair and Life Downs.

Beverly had a passion for playing the game of Bridge and she was a life long player.  She loved all games – Duplicate, Slam and Party Bridge.  She loved teaching new bridge enthusiasts and took much pleasure seeing her friends improve and excel at the game.  She was an approved Director of the ACBL of the Los Amigos Bridge Club for many years.  She traveled Texas to play in competitive national bridge tournaments, and was very close to attaining her Life Master status.

Beverly was preceded in death by her husband, Ben Cantu, Jr.  She is survived by her beloved brother, Barry Buchanan and his wife Yvonne of Medina, Texas and their children.  She is also survived by her children, all of San Antonio – Traci C. Tracey and her husband Paul B. Tracey, Vince B. Cantu and his wife Elizabeth (Chooch) Cantu, Mark C. Cantu and his life companion, Chantal Papp, and Rick B. Cantu.  Her pride and joy were her grandchildren, Lauren T. King and her husband Gregory M. J. King, John T. Tracey, Allegra R. Cantu, Castille C. Cantu, and Cullum B. Cantu.  She also leaves behind her devoted and family caregiver of 20 years, Rosa Hernandez.

The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to Dr. Leonides Cigarroa Jr. for his kind and caring manner towards both Ben and Beverly Cantu.

Services will be Sunday, March 29, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services, 1320 Trey Dr. Laredo, TX 78041. Chapel service will officiate at 7:00 p.m.  Graveside services will be on Wednesday, April 1, at 2:00 p.m. at Mission Burial Park North, 20900 W Interstate 10, San Antonio, Texas.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Bethany House at 819 Hidalgo Street, Laredo, Texas 78040 or online at bethanyhouseoflaredo.org.

For your convenience you may sign the guest book or leave your condolences to the family online at www.freddickey.com

Funeral arrangements are by Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services, 1320 Trey Dr. Laredo, TX. (956)723-3611.