Marta Benavides Kinslow, 83, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, entering into eternal rest.

Born and raised in Laredo, Texas, Marta attended Buenos Aires Elementary and Lamar Jr. High School. She graduated with honors from Martin High School in 1960. Continuing her education, she enrolled at Laredo Junior College before transferring to the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics and Spanish in 1964.

Marta taught mathematics at Lamar Junior High School from 1964 to 1969. During this time, she met her husband, George W. Kinslow I, on a blind date. The couple married on June 22, 1968, and shared a happy marriage for 53 years.

Their first son, Robert J. Kinslow, was born on April 2, 1969. Later that years, the family moved to California. Over the next decade, their family grew with the arrival of their daughter, Minnie M. Garcia(née Kinslow), on December 31, 1970, followed by their second son, George W. Kinslow II, born on December 14, 1974.

In 1979, the family returned to Texas, where Marta resumed her teaching career at Kitty Hawk Junior High School in Universal City, Texas, for four years. The family then moved back to Laredo, where Marta taught mathematics at Dr. Joaquin G. Cigarroa Middle School from 1983 until her retirement in 1999.

During her tenure at Cigarroa, Marta held several notable roles: she served as Math Department Head for five years, taught computer literacy classes for five years, sponsored U.I.L mathematics competitions, and was a yearbook sponsor for ten years. Additionally, she sponsored the Washington Workshop in 1987.

Marta received numerous accolades throughout her career. The Lamar Junior High School yearbook staff dedicated their 1969 yearbook to her. In 1992, she was nominated for the Golden Apple Award. Finally, in 1999, the Cigarroa Bulldog yearbook staff honored her by dedicating their yearbook to her before her retirement.

After retiring, Marta remained actively involved in the education community by serving as a substitute teacher for elementary schools in the United Independent School District. Alongside her professional contributions, she cherished spending quality time with her grandchildren. Marta also stayed deeply engaged in her community, participating in various organizations such as the L.C.C. Traditional Music Group, the local Philharmonic Chorale, the Catholic Daughters of America, and the American Associates of University Women. She was active in her church, serving as a lector at Divine Mercy Catholic Church.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Matilde Benavides and Maria de los Angeles Benavides; her beloved husband ,George W. Kinslow I; her sisters, Iréne Treviño, Maria Gloria Benavides and Graciela Benavides; brothers, Hector Benavides and Ricardo Benavides.

She is survived by her children, Robert J. (Gary) Kinslow, Minnie M. (Rogelio) Garcia and George W. (Jaime) Kinslow II; grandchildren, Sebastian X. Robles, Anna M. Garcia, Victoria M. (Gabriel) Vielma, Kathryn D. Garcia, Adley E. O’Hara Kinslow; and brother, Enrique (Yolanda) Benavides; as well as nieces, nephews, other family members and friends that will greatly miss her.

The  family will be receiving condolences on Sunday, February 16, 2025 at Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.  A rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm.  Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 17, 2025 from the funeral home to St. Patrick Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will begin at 10:00 am.  Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the family plot in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are by Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services, 1320 Trey Dr., Laredo, Texas 78041 (956) 723-3611. For your convenience, you may leave your condolences to the family online at www.freddickey.com

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