Lydia L. Mendoza, a lifelong resident of Helena, Texas, passed away, Sunday, September 2, 2012, at 12:05 P.M., at DeTar Hospital in Victoria, Texas at the age of 75 years, 4 months and 10 days.

Lydia was born April 23, 1937, in Westhoff, Texas, the daughter of Julio Leal and Angelita Tijernia Leal. She was a wonderful cook, a loving home health provider, and a homemaker. On December 20, 1952, Lydia married Fernando Mendoza.

She is survived by her daughters, Maggie Ybarra and husband Claro of Fashing, Texas, Mary Jo Lozano and husband Gilberto of Helena, Texas and Martha Garcia and husband Gilbert of Corpus Christi, Texas; her sons, Daniel Mendoza and wife Araceli of Houston, Texas, David Mendoza of Karnes City, Texas and Samuel Mendoza of Helena, Texas; her brother, David Leal of Corpus Christi, Texas; her 13 grandchildren, Mark Ramirez and wife Jenn, Estella Garza and husband Pedro, Julie Palmer and husband Kevin, Esther Ybarra, Mindy Soliz and husband Oscar, Daniel Ybarra, Justin D. Mendoza, Evelyn Salais and husband Jaime, Bianca Longoria, Damaris Mendoza, Edgar Mendoza, Fernando Daniel Mendoza and Isaiah Mendoza and her 20 great-grandchildren. Ms. Mendoza is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her son, Julio Mendoza and her brother, Jose Leal, Sr.

Visitation began at 5:00 P.M., Tuesday, September 4, 2012, in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel and a prayer service was held at 7:00 P.M. Funeral services were held, Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at 10:00 A.M., in the Eckols Chapel with Rev. Eliseo Rios officiating. Interment followed in the Mendoza Family Cemetery, Helena, Texas. Serving as pallbearers were, Mark Ramirez, Justin D. Mendoza, Daniel Ybarra, Aric Garza, Edgar Mendoza and David Mendoza.