Petrita Alaniz Sanchez

Petrita Alaniz Sanchez, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, was called home to be with our Lord and reunited with her family on January 6, 2026, at the age of 99.

Petrita was a lifelong resident of Beeville, Texas where she spent her entire life rooted in faith, family, and community. She was born on September 11, 1926, the eleventh child of Petra Jaramillo Alaniz and Simplicio Alaniz.

She was preceded in death by her parents, all of her brothers and sisters, and their spouses.

Her siblings were: Crecencio (Lupita "Lucy"), Cruz (Sophia), Olivia Gutierrez (Rogerio), Adelaida De Russe (Luis), Olivia Benavides (Christopher), Emiliano (Celia), Inocencio (Adelfa), David (Elvira), Eustorgio "E.J" (Juliana "Julia"), Simplicio Jr. (Dorothy Jean; Ester), Ray, Esmerenciana "Mary" Ortega (Edward), and Dora Trevino (Ben).

She was also preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, Martin C. Sanchez Jr., who passed away in 2015.

Petrita is survived by her daughters, Sylvia Ann Vasquez, Rebecca "Becky" Sanchez-Orozco (Robert), and Mary Ann Sanchez-Benavides (George). She was a proud and loving grandmother to Sandra Vasquez Anderson (John), Alex Vasquez, Andrea Vasquez Garay (Henry), Andrew Orozco (Laura), Analise Orozco Schulze (Adam), Juliana Benavides (Desiree), and Joshua Benavides (Liz).

Her joy multiplied with her precious great-grandchildren: Jacob and Preston Anderson, Sophie, Houston and Carter Vasquez, Olivia Garay, Christopher, Alessandra, and Thalia Grace Orozco, Ellis and Beau Schulze, and Gael Benavides.

Petrita was baptized at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, where she remained a faithful, lifelong parishioner. She attended Our Lady of Victory Catholic School and later A.C. Jones High School.

Just one year short of graduation from high school, World War II changed the course of her life. Five of her brothers enlisted in the U.S. Army, and with her older sisters married and living away from home, Petrita stepped up to help her father run the family grocery store and other businesses. Though leaving school was a sacrifice, the work she did with her father revealed her natural gift for numbers and accounting; skills she would rely on throughout her life.

On May 21st,1950, she married the love of her life, Martin C. Sanchez Jr., and together they built a strong faith-filled home. As their family grew, Petrita went to work to help support household expenses. Her long and successful career was with Mergele Jewelers, where she began as a clerk. Through determination, hard work, and integrity, she advanced to become the store's manager and buyer.

Later, after her daughters completed their college education and married, Petrita worked part-time for Mark and Debbie Parsons at Hogue's Jewelry Store, where she remained until the age of 70.

Education was extremely important to Petrita-perhaps because she never had the chance to finish her own. Her message to her daughters was simple and unwavering: "You earn your education first, and then you can get married." Beyond guiding her own children through college applications and decisions, she also helped many other young people navigate the college process as well.

Throughout her life, she formed many lasting friendships through her work, her church, community involvement with the Western Week Committee, her Dance Club, and during her travels.

Her days often began before anyone else was awake. Breakfast and lunch were already prepared before the family started their day. The family shared three home-cooked meals together every day when her daughters attended OLV Catholic School together. Her girls would walk the one block home and meet their parents for lunch; a memory that remains treasured.

Cooking three meals a day, working six days a week, raising three daughters, and caring deeply for her family and home-this five-foot woman was a quiet but powerful force. She leaves behind a legacy of deep faith, remarkable strength, selflessness, and unwavering love for God and family.

After a life marked by both joy and sorrow, she now crosses to the other side of life's ocean, reunited with all those she loved and missed so dearly. She will be profoundly missed.

The Sanchez family extends a heartfelt appreciation to Petrita's friends who visited her often, and to her caregivers during her time of need: Simona "Mona" Garcia, Hilda Castillo, Lupe Paiz, Desiree Trevino, Jasmine Esparaza, and Mercy Flores. Special thanks to Santa Fe Home Health Services and Exclusive Home Health and Hospice, Inc. for their help, support, and kindness.

Pall bearers are Alex Rene Vasquez, Andrew Austin Orozco, Joshua Martin Benavides, Jacob Christopher Anderson, John Michael Ortega, Louie Alaniz, Joe Henry "Jody" Alaniz II, and Edward Paul Ortega.

Honorary pallbearers are Edward Ortega Jr. and Joseph Martinez.