Ernestine L. Alaniz

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Mother, Ernestine L. Alaniz at the beautiful age of 88 whose love, kindness, and unwavering devotion touched the lives of everyone who knew her. Mama was surrounded by immense love from her daughters, grandchildren, and friends. Mama will be dearly missed.

Ernestine L. Alaniz was born in Nueces County on April 3, 1938.

She was the heart of our family—a woman of grace, strength, and compassion. Her greatest joy was caring for her family…. her late Husband, Jose L. Alaniz, her daughters, Dalia Pompa and Melisa Reyna, grandchildren, Michael Pompa Jr. and Erika N. Pompa who she adored, and loved ones. She welcomed everyone with open arms and the greatest BIG hugs that she would give, and you knew everything was going to be alright, offered comfort and devoted prayer without hesitation, and filled every room with warmth, laughter, and unconditional love to all. Her contagious laughter made you laugh and cry at the same time which gave us such happiness in your heart whether watching her favorite novelas and the world’s funniest videos. She loved watching her Sunday Mass on the television while drinking her cafficito and eating pan dulce and would love to see her Domingo Shows especially when there was her favorite music playing, oh we knew we better dance while she would crank up the speakers and we laughed and laughed. Mama had exceptional crafts with skills where she loved to sew and mend anything even sewing for the Coronation Gowns for the annual Buccaneer Days and the racing blankets for the Greyhound races. Her passion for working in her yard and beautiful plants was always a treasure to see and it was her own botanical gardens filled you with great love and peace. Mama also loved to make her famous delicious tamales that filled her home with comforting delicious flavors. You never went hungry at moms house. Mama found joy in life’s simple moments, her home was always filled with warmth, food, laughter, and love. She always reminded us to tell all her family and friends that she was deeply loved, and she loved and prayed for each one of you.

She married the love of her life, Jose L. Alaniz, who preceded her in death and lived in Corpus Christi and started their family. Above all, Ernestine’s greatest joy was her devotion to her family. She held several positions as a kodak photo developer, Nana to small children, and retired from Levi’s Strauss & Company upon their closing.

Her devoted catholic faith praying to her Diosito Santo and La Virgen De Guadalupe, resilience, and generous spirit guided her throughout her life. She gave her heart filled with love to all who knew her. She taught us the importance of kindness, forgiveness, helping anyone who needed a helping hand, hard work, and putting your family first. Though words cannot express how deeply she will be missed, our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing that her love and legacy will live in our hearts forever and she will be watching over us from heaven being by our side always. She now rests in peace, reunited with her loved ones, forever remembered and forever cherished until we see each other again.

She is survived by her loving family with countless beautiful memories to her daughters Dalia Pompa and Melisa Reyna, her grandchildren Michael Pompa Jr. and Erika Pompa, and a host of family and dear friends who will forever cherish the memories, wisdom, and countless sacrifices she made for us. She was preceded in death by those who welcomed her into eternal everlasting peace.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jose L. Alaniz, parents, and son-in-law.

Though the hearts of all who knew and loved her are heavy, we find comfort in knowing that her life was beautifully lived and deeply meaningful. She will be profoundly missed and forever remembered.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. Amen.

A special Thank you and hugs to Oscar Limas, Dr. Delia Quisenberry, Alicia Perez, Nora Garza, Veronica Cunningham, Eva Rios, and Anna Lisa who showed such compassion, love and support for our Mama while under their care with Aadi Home Health & Hospice. The staff showed such great care and love for mama and when she knew it was bath day her face would light up.

Visitation will be held at Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 8200 Old Brownsville Road, Corpus Christi, TX 78415, on Friday, July 24, 2026 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.

A celebration of her life will be held with a Rosary Prayer that will be held at Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 8200 Old Brownsville Road, Corpus Christi, TX 78415, on Friday, July 24, 2026 from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm