Guadalupe Perez Betz

BROWNSVILLE, TX. - Today, we gather not just to mourn a loss, but to honor the incredible life of Guadalupe Perez Betz, our beloved Mami. She was the heart and soul of the Betz family—a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother whose love was boundless and whose warmth touched every life she entered. She was a woman whose laughter could light up any room, and whose spirit, no matter the struggle, never wavered.

Lupita’s greatest joy was always her family—her children, grandchildren, and beyond. As a mother of eleven, she built a family that grew so large, her love for each of us was undeniable. And though sometimes she couldn’t remember every name, it was clear that no one ever went unnoticed in her heart. Her famous greeting of "¿Quién eres tú?" was her way of making us feel seen, heard, and loved, even when the world around her became harder to hold onto.

Her kitchen was a sanctuary where memories were made, and love was served with every meal. Whether it was a Sunday BBQ, a holiday celebration, or an impromptu family gathering, there was always room for one more. Her cooking, especially her legendary tortillas, will forever live on in our hearts, but it was her ability to make every single person feel like they mattered that we will remember the most. She had a gift for making everyone feel like family, and that’s something we’ll cherish forever.

Her home was always open to anyone, and her heart was just as big. She poured love into everything she did, whether it was caring for her beautiful garden, singing hymns with her sister, or simply sharing a moment of joy with the people she loved. Her spirit was like the flowers she so lovingly tended—vibrant, full of life, and impossible to forget.

As we say goodbye to Mami today, we cannot help but feel a deep ache in our hearts. We will miss her more than words can say—the sound of her laughter, the warmth of her hugs, and the way she made us all feel like we were the most important person in the world. But even as we grieve, we find comfort in knowing that her legacy will live on in each of us. In the stories we’ll tell, in the love we’ll continue to share, and in the values she instilled in us.

Lupita’s love will never fade. It will continue to guide us, strengthen us, and remind us that family is everything. Rest in peace, Mami. You were our rock, our foundation, and the light that shined brightly in our lives. You will never be forgotten, and your love will forever live in our hearts."

Guadalupe Perez Betz, affectionately known as Lupita 'Mami', mother, grandma, 89, the beloved matriarch of the Betz family, passed away on Sunday, the 2nd of March 2025, surrounded by her daughters and family members. The daughter of Pasqual and Maximina Perez, she was born on June 5, 1935, in Brownsville. Her greatest joy and achievement was her large and close-knit family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Burke Betz; her sons, William Burke Betz, Jr. and George Alan Betz; and is survived by her treasured sister, Victoria Pretre; her daughters Lori Betz-Barrientos, Emily Betz-Higginbotham, Mary Betz- Romero, Cristal Betz-LaFon, Georgia Portales, Cici Betz, Paige Betz, Elaine Betz-Slovisky, Margaret DeLa Garza; along with 32 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren. She created a beautiful life for her family and will continue to be the inspiration and the 'wind beneath her family’s wings'. Her legacy of love and togetherness will live on for generations to come.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, the 6th of March 2025 between the hours of twelve noon and nine o'clock at night, with the recitation of the holy rosary to begin at seven o'clock Thursday evening within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at nine o'clock in the morning on Friday, the 7th of March 2025 at the historic Immaculate Conception Cathedral, 1218 E. Jefferson Street, Brownsville. Interment will then follow, via an escorted procession, at Buena Vista Burial Park, 5 McDavitt Boulevard, Brownsville.

Memories of Lupita may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey, CFSP and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.