Previous Services

Visitation: 11:30 a.m.

Chapel:  1:00 p.m. 

Houston National Cemetery: 2:15 p.m. (In Procession)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Navy

Houston Honor Guard

Servando “Sam” Belmarez Cardenas, Jr., age 79, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2026, in Houston, Texas. Born on October 19, 1946, in Simonton, Texas, he lived a life marked by devotion—to his faith, his family, and his country.

Sam was the beloved husband of Sylvia for 56 years and a devoted father to Melissa (Ayres), Christopher Michael, and Brittany (Pacheco). He also cherished his role as father-in-law to John Pacheco. His legacy continues through his grandchildren Cameron, Liane and her husband Ethan Garrow, and Andrea, and great-grandchildren Madelyn and Lukas. He also leaves behind his sisters Elizabeth Lopez and Evangelina Cardenas, numerous nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

A proud veteran of the United States Navy, Sam served honorably from 1967 to 1970 as a Petty Officer Third Class (PO3) aboard the USS Mattaponi AO-41. His time in the Navy remained a source of pride throughout his life; he often reminisced about those years with fondness and gratitude.

Those who knew Sam will remember him as kind-hearted and fun-spirited—a man who balanced strength with gentleness and faith with humility. His presence left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to share in his journey. May his memory bring comfort to all who loved him and continue to inspire lives rooted in faith, family, service, and love.

Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Drive

Houston, Texas 77038

Meet in Lane #1 at 11:00 a.m. (Not before 10:45 a.m.)

Mary Frances Elder Hicks, age 94, departed this life on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, William Hicks, Sr as well as her three brothers, William George (Dubbie) Elder, James Carl (Jim) Elder, and Joseph Julian (Jay) Elder as well as her parents William James Elder and Lena Newman Elder. Frances is survived by her two children, Linda Hicks Blumenthal and husband Lee, William (Bill) Hicks, Jr and wife Teresa, and five grandchildren, Michael, Sheri, Stephanie, John, and James, and four great grandchildren Reagan, Oliver, Evan, and Aaron.

She was born on February 24, 1931 in Biloxi, Mississippi and attended elementary school there. She was able to go to TCU on a majorette scholarship and participated in beauty pageants in Mississippi, winning Miss Biloxi in 1950.

While working at the Keesler AFB Base Exchange during her summer home from school, she met future husband William Hicks and they were married on December 28, 1950. This fast-paced engagement was just the start as Bill was in the Air Force and they ended up moving over 21 times over the next 15 years until Bill left the Air Force life in 1965. In spite of all these moves, she always wanted to make each house look like we were going to stay there for a long time as she kept them decorated for the family in a fashion that said “this is our forever house”.

Frances was a very good golfer as she was Ladies Club Champion at Sunkist in Biloxi as well as at Willowisp and Pecan Grove in Houston. Along with Bill, they were also Couples Club Champions at these courses. She loved interior design also as she laid out the plans for a house that she and Bill built in Biloxi in 1978. In 1988 they moved back to Houston and made this their home.

In addition to golf and design, she liked dancing, taking care of her flowers, watching the squirrels in the back yard, going out to eat with friends, and playing cards (Bridge, Spite and Malice, and Hearts).

Her Methodist upbringing was strong as she made sure her children were baptized and attended church regularly. Later in life when it was harder for her to get around, she got a lot of enjoyment from watching several different church services on TV and reading the bible and other biblical books. We know that now she is with her Father and able to reunite with Bill and all the others. While we will miss her dearly, we know that she is in a much better place now.

Visitation: 11:30 a.m.

Chapel:  1:00 p.m. 

Houston National Cemetery: 2:15 p.m. (In Procession)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Army

Houston Honor Guard

Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Drive

Houston, Texas 77038

Meet in Lane #1 at 10:00 a.m. (Not before 9:45 a.m.)

Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Drive

Houston, Texas 77038

Meet in Lane #2 at 11:15 a.m. (Not before 11:00 a.m.)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Marine Corps

Houston Honor Guard

Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Drive

Houston, Texas 77038

Meet in Lane #1 at 1:30 p.m. (Not before 1:15 p.m.)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Navy

Houston Honor Guard

Gather: 10:30 a.m.

Chapel:  11:00 a.m. 

Houston National Cemetery: 12:30 p.m. (In Procession)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Air Force

Houston Honor Guard

Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Drive

Houston, Texas 77038

Meet in Lane #1 at 9:00 a.m. (Not before 8:45 a.m.)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Navy

Houston Honor Guard

Visitation  12:30 p.m. 

Houston National Cemetery: 2:15 p.m. (In Procession)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Marine Corps

Houston Honor Guard

Gather: 12:00 p.m.

Chapel:  12:30 p.m. 

Houston National Cemetery: 1:30 p.m. (In Procession)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Army

Houston Honor Guard

Visitation: 11:00 a.m.

Chapel:  12:30 p.m. 

Houston National Cemetery: 2:00 p.m. (In Procession)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Army

Houston Honor Guard

Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Drive

Houston, Texas 77038

Meet in Lane #1 at 2:15 p.m. (Not before 2:00 p.m.)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Navy

Houston Honor Guard

Visitation: 11:30 a.m.

Chapel:  1:00 p.m. 

Houston National Cemetery: 2:00 p.m. (In Procession)

Houston National Cemetery

10410 Veterans Memorial Drive

Houston, Texas 77038

Meet in Lane #1 at 9:30 a.m. (Not before 9:15 a.m.)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Navy

Houston Honor Guard

Gather: 9:00 a.m.

Chapel:  9:30 a.m. 

Houston National Cemetery: 10:45 a.m. (In Procession)

Military Honors Presented By:

United States Army

Houston Honor Guard