Livia “Libby” Tidwell

Livia “Libby” Tidwell left this world to go to heaven on August 9, 2023. Libby was born on May 23, 1937, the second of four children to Jesus and Enriqueta Garcia in Mercedes, Texas. Libby competed in numerous sports while attending Mercedes High School, where she graduated in 1956. Libby became the first member of her family to graduate from college when she completed her undergraduate degree from Pan American College in 1959.

Libby pursued her love of working with young adults when she became a Physical Education teacher with the Mercedes and San Benito school districts. Libby coached girls' basketball and served as the Cheerleader Sponsor and Drill Team Sponsor.  She returned to Pan Am for her Master's degree in Counseling and graduated in 1978. Libby worked as a school counselor at San Benito High until her retirement in 1996. She then continued working as a substitute counselor in San Benito until 2004. She was very proud to have touched the lives of thousands of students throughout her career.

She married the love of her life, Arthur Tidwell on January 27, 1967, and together they raised two children, Wesley and Laurel. Art and Libby moved to Denton in 2006 and later to Fort Worth to be closer to their children. In retirement, Art and Libby traveled the world, visiting over 34 countries including Russia, Australia, and her favorite country Italy.

Libby was a lifelong devoted member of the Catholic Church and would pray for her family and friends with care and love daily.  She loved to read, go shopping, and go out to eat with family and friends. Libby never met a stranger and always had a smile on her face.  After leaving San Benito, Libby continued to get the San Benito Newspaper so she and Art could keep up with life and their friends in San Benito.

She was also a devoted sports fan and would keep up with the teams from San Benito, Mercedes, TCU, the University of Texas, and the Dallas Cowboys.  Art and Libby loved football so much, that they would go to Cowboys Stadium to watch whatever high school football teams were playing there in their respective State Football Championship games.

Libby was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Alicia, and her brother Jesse.  Libby is survived by her husband, children, son-in-law Scott Faciane, granddaughter Grace Faciane, grandson William Elias, her brother Henry (Marcela) Garcia, and nieces and nephews whom she all loved dearly.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, dedicated to Libby Tidwell, to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul.