Carmen E. Alanis

Carmen was born in Galeana, Nuevo León, Mexico, to Ramon and Severiana Espinoza. She was raised in Weslaco, Texas, where she built the strong family values and kind heart that would define her throughout her life. On March 23, 1962, she married the love of her life, Federico "Fred" Alanis. They began their married life in Bryan, Texas, before making Corpus Christi their home in 1966, where they lovingly raised their family.

Carmen found joy in life's simple pleasures. She loved spending time outdoors caring for her plants and especially her beautiful rose bushes. She was also an avid fan of her favorite novelas. Her daughters knew that if they called during one of her shows, she would faithfully answer the phone but simply respond, "Sí," to everything they said, making it an unspoken family rule to call before or after her novelas ended.

Above all else, Carmen's greatest love was her family. She cherished every moment spent with her four granddaughters, her many great-grandchildren, and even her beloved grand dogs—Pocket and Scooter—and grand cat, Kiki Lee. Carmen was known for her sweet, caring, and generous spirit. She was always there for her family, ready to help in any way she could, no matter their age or circumstance. Her unwavering love, kindness, and devotion created a legacy that will continue through the generations she so deeply treasured.

She is survived by her loving daughters, Juanita Alanis Garza and her husband, Fernando Garza, and Angela Alanis Norman and her husband, Matthew Norman; her cherished granddaughters, Erika Rae Garza, Denisse Lisette Garza, Anna Cristina Martinez and her husband, Ramon Martinez, and Fernanda Nayelli Garza and her husband, Andres Moncada; her brother, Ramon Espinoza, Jr. and his wife, Carmen; her brother-in-law, Arturo Guajardo, Jr.; 13 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; her beloved grand dogs, Pocket and Scooter; her grand cat, Kiki Lee; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Carmen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Federico "Fred" Alanis; her parents, Ramon and Severiana Espinoza; her brothers, Santos Espinoza, Martin Espinoza, Francisco Espinoza, and Jorge Espinoza; her sisters, Lilia Jaramillo, Maria Martinez, and Severiana Guajardo; and her first grand dog, Riley.

Serving as pallbearers will be her nephews, Cleofas Martinez Jr., Fernando Martinez, Armando Martinez, and Jose Rene Closner Jr.; her grandsons by marriage, Ramon Martinez and Andres Moncada; and her great-grandsons, Christian Garza and David Garza. Honorary pallbearers will be her sons-in-law, Fernando Garza and Matthew Norman, and her nephew, Peter Jaramillo.

Carmen's family will forever cherish her gentle heart, her unwavering love, and the countless memories she created through her kindness, laughter, and devotion. Though she will be deeply missed, her love will remain in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.