Edna Lee Couling Pena, 83, went to be with our Heavenly Father on August 15, 2024. A lifelong resident of Benavides, TX, Edna was born on June 12, 1941, to Mike and Santos (Espinoza) Couling. She graduated from Benavides High School in 1960 and soon after attended Beauty College, where she became a licensed cosmetologist. After a few years in that field, Edna pursued higher education at Texas A&I University, earning both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Edna dedicated her life to education, teaching in San Diego, Crystal City, Freer, and, most notably, Benavides, where she spent the majority of her career. Her passion for teaching left a lasting impact on countless students, and she was deeply loved by many. Beyond her career in education, Edna was a successful business owner, operating Cattleman’s Country Store for many years. She was also an active member of the Catholic Daughters of America and a devoted parishioner at Santa Rosa de Lima Catholic Church, where she faithfully lived out her Catholic beliefs. Edna found great joy in traveling and cherished spending time with her loved ones. She and her husband, Joe, never missed an opportunity to support their grandchildren, celebrate with friends, or enjoy a night out dancing to Jerry and the Ruf-Nex. Her life was full of love, laughter, and a caring spirit that touched everyone she met.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jose H. Pena; her parents, Mike and Santos Couling; her three sisters, Emma (+ Leandro) Martinez, Pauline ( + Luciano) Ramos, and Margarita ( + Gilberto) Hinojosa; her three brothers, Rodolfo (+ Vira) Couling, Jesse ( + Doris) Couling, and Arturo Couling.
Edna is survived by her children: Joe Mike (Linda) Pena of Corpus Christi, Jerry (Melissa) Pena of Benavides, Luis (Eva) Pena of Benavides, Edna (Rene) Yzaguirre, II of Alice, and Elaina (Adrian) Perez of Freer. She also leaves behind her sisters: File (+ Oscar) Salinas of Benavides, Minerva (+ Ricardo) Carrillo of Benavides, Dora Mae ( + Roel) Canales of Corpus Christi, and Eva ( + Joseph) Goulding of Dallas. Edna was blessed with 17 grandchildren: Taylor, Erika, Allie, Andrea, Audrey, Joe Andrew, Carlos Omar, Eric, Ivan, Eva Louise, Luis Evan, Rene, Sophia, Emma, Klaudia, Jaime, and Kadrian, along with 19 great-grandchildren and one more on the way. She also leaves behind many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, including Maria Juarez of Benavides, Texas.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to all who cared for Edna in her later years, including her friends at Windsor Nursing Facility and her dear friend, Rosa Garcia.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at Garza Funeral Home in San Diego, Texas with a Rosary to be recited at 11:00 a.m. Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 12 noon on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at Santa Rosa De Lima Catholic Church in Benavides, Texas. Interment will follow at Benavides Cemetery in Benavides, Texas.
Anyone wishing to leave condolences for the family may do so at www.garzafuneralhome.com.
Arrangements entrusted to Garza Funeral Home, San Diego, Texas 361-279-3311.
