Mary A. Sanchez, also lovingly known as “Chagua” to her family and friends, 85, of San Angelo, TX, went to her forever home with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, January 9, 2021, surrounded by the love of her children and grandchildren. She was born on August 10, 1935, in Big Spring, TX, where she lived until 1985.
She is survived by the father of her children and lifelong best friend, Enrique (Henry) Sanchez, Jr.; her sister, Juanita Gutierrez; her children Leny Davis (Gary Davis), Eric Sanchez (Melissa Madrid), Enrique A. Sanchez, III “Rick” (Amanda Sanchez); grandchildren, Lisa Marie DeHoyos, Jessica DeHoyos (Joseph Mata), Saebra Davis, Nic DeHoyos, Camille Martinez, Hilary Sanchez (Will Ott), Natalia Martinez, Nathan Sanchez (Lexi Sanchez), Trevor Sanchez, Ziek Sanchez and Samantha Sanchez; great grandchildren, Rylan Herrera, Logan Herridge, Zander Martinez and Larysa Belman; Special niece, Terri Ramirez (David Ramirez) and many other nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly and were all very special to her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jose and Maria Alvarez, two infant daughters, Elsa and Gloria Sanchez, and siblings, Mercedes Alvarez, Roberto Alvarez, Jesus Alvarez, Ramon Alvarez, Manuela Duran, Elvira Olivas and grandson, John Glenn Davis.
Chagua (Mary) was passionate about her faith in Christ, her family and friends. She took life on fearlessly at every turn and always and unapologetically bragged tirelessly about her kids, grandkids and great grandkids who fully filled her caring heart with overflowing joy. Each grandchild was loved and honored on her dedicated wall at home with their high school graduation portrait. She patriotically loved her country and always made sure to proudly fly her American flag in her front yard. She loved her family and all family gatherings and loved her friends deeply, always sharing with them all she had, but most generously, her love. All will remember the loving blessing she would bestow on everyone individually, before parting with her. Never forgotten will be her unfailing attendance at mass, her daily Rosary prayer, the hundreds of times she played taxi for all her grandkids from school to home and other places, her delicious Sunday breakfasts after church, featuring her mouth-watering tortillas, “carnita”, “papas”, “arroz” and homemade hot sauce “el chile”. She spent many dedicated hours reading her Bible, crocheting, which were often special gifts for others and she loved attending as many of her children’s and grandchildren’s special events where she never met a stranger and happily shared many stories with whomever was fortunate to be seated or standing next to her at these events. She loved her coworkers and working at Angelo State University’s “snack bar” as a cook for 25 years until right before her 80th birthday. She dearly loved serving and befriending countless students and faculty, offering them strong encouragement as well as warm, grandmotherly advice along with her beautiful, welcoming smile. While there she made many special friends, of whom, Esther Guerra and Wilma Bradley were especially close and dear to her. She also dearly loved her generous & loving neighbors, the Perez family.
We will celebrate her beautiful and inspiring faith, life and spirit beginning with a Rosary service at Johnson’s Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 from 6-8 PM. Funeral service will occur on Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 10:00 AM, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 301 W. 17th, San Angelo, TX. Pallbearers will be Nic DeHoyos, Nathan Sanchez, Ziek Sanchez, Trevor Sanchez, Gary Davis & Edward Olivas, Honorary pallbearers are Rylan Herrera, Logan Herridge and Zander Martinez.
In lieu of flowers, the Sanchez family asks that you make a memorial donation in memory of Mary A. Sanchez, to ADACCV or the Pregnancy Help Center of Concho Valley. The family would like to thank Dr. Norma Cerna and her staff, Shannon Hospital’s ER and 5th floor south staff, Hospice of San Angelo, Father Juan, Father Felix, all our loving family members who selflessly cared for mom when she was most in need and all our family and friends who have kept mom and our family in prayer.
