Stella Moreno Sanchez

Stella Moreno Sanchez, 71, was born on November 17, 1954, to Pedro and Idalia (Jasso) Moreno in Big Spring, Texas. Stella was raised in Runge, Texas, attending their local schools and graduated from Runge High School in 1974. She eventually made Beeville her home.

In 1977, Stella was employed by Bee County College and resided with her friend, Patricia ‘Pat’ (Camacho) Carrizales. One day, the friends were hanging out at Pizza Hut, a local common hangout, when a young youth football coach, Louis Sanchez Jr., was there with some of his players when his eyes locked in on a long-haired beauty, standing outside near her yellow Nova. Coach Louie decided to approach the beauty and asked for her name. Stella. Stella was the name of this beauty. After some conversation regarding mutual friends, Louis asked Stella to attend a local dance. That evening, Louis and Stella met up at the dance and the rest was history! On that day, Stella and Louis began their forty-eight-year-old love story.

The couple dated for about two years before tying the knot on December 16, 1978, in Runge, Texas. Three children came from their union, Veronica, Louis Miguel III, and Victoria (Vicky). While raising her family and attending college at the University of Houston-Victoria, she was employed with JTPA. After a few years, she began working for the Beeville Independent School District as a paraprofessional at Madderra-Flourney Elementary. Stella completed her studies and received her Bachelor’s degree to become a teacher. Stella took the role of an educator to heart. Stella took pride in teaching her students and had a servant's heart for the children of Beeville ISD for thirty-four years. Stella served at Thomas Jefferson Junior High and Moreno Junior High School and taught Reading, Science, and English during her tenure. She loved all of her students in her own way. Stella carried a servant heart to her students and fellow teachers and retired twice from BISD. Each time she left, she yearned for her classroom, her students, her fellow teacher friends, and the everyday hustle and bustle of junior high life.

Throughout the years, Stella kept her family as the center of her universe. She raised her children with love, structure, and guidance. Stella was there for her children through life’s obstacles, taking their wins as her wins, their hurt as her hurt. Stella enjoyed her road trips with Veronica to attend her grandbabies sporting events, Sunday brunches with her son, Louis, III and relaxing in bed with Vicky watching documentaries. Stella often made her mother’s breakfast special of fried bologna, beans, and tortillas for her kids. A memory she passed on to her own children. The love birds would frequently have their Whataburger dates and Texas Roadhouse steaks! As the years passed, the Sanchez family continued to grow by adding a daughter-in-law, Stephaine, to the Sanchez family. It was easy to see Stella was born to be a mother, until one day; she was blessed to be promoted to a higher calling, Momo.

Momo is the epitome of what a grandmother would be. She was patient, loved hard, and consistently showed up for them. She was born for that role and she knew her grandchildren were a gift from God. She loved her grandkids with every ounce of her being and lived to care for her babies! Through games, school programs, and especially during the holidays, Momo’s grandbabies were her heart outside her body, a love so deep, only Momo could give. Stella’s legacy will continue through the souls of her grandchildren, Jayse Arredondo, Ethan Corpus, Maddox Garcia, Mia, Ryah, Emmie, Nixon Sanchez, and Quinn Guerra.

Momo was the glue to her family, and she graciously accepted that role. Momo enjoyed simple pleasures in life like waking up to Neil Diamond music every morning and her breakfast ritual of bacon and eggs. She enjoyed her color by number projects, 2 daily, and did not mind she was annoying her kids with the endless tapping she did on her IPAD. Taco runs and garage sales with Tia Lucy were special memories for her. Her charismatic personality and sense of humor were one of a kind! Momo’s unexpected commentary and bold statements could surprise anyone. In retirement life, Momo had the joy of caring for her plants, listening to the Goo-Goo Dolls and the Hometown Boys and sitting in the sun. MSNBC would be the background noise of the home and she would be ready to be on the go with her grandchildren. Momo was a selfless soul who only wanted her family to have peace, love, and happiness.

Momo has gone home. Home to where her loved ones have been waiting for her and have welcomed her with open arms. Momo will be dearly missed, but our God needed her home.

Momo has been reunited with her parents, Pedro and Idalia Jasso Moreno, and siblings Joe Moreno, Pedro Moreno, and Adela Davila. Those left to cherish her memories are her husband of forty-eight years, Louis Sanchez, Jr., her children, Veronica Sanchez, Louis (Stephanie) Sanchez III of Beeville, Vicky (Hannah) Sanchez of Flour Bluff, her grandchildren Jayse, Ethan, Maddox, Mia, Ryah, Emmie, Quinn, and Nixon, and her siblings: Victoria Marroquin, Petra Rodriguez, Romalda “Rumi” Rodriguez, Jesse Moreno, and Juan Moreno, numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, friends, family friends, and friends who have become family.

Momo’s services will be on Friday, January 30th at St. James Catholic Church with Fr Jacob Valayath officiating. The family will begin receiving guests for the viewing at 10:00 a.m. Rosary will be recited at 1:00 p.m. with the mass following at 2 p.m. Momo’s pallbearers will be: Louis Miguel Sanchez III, Javier Moreno, Jaime Rodriguez, Christopher Marroquin, Ernest Flores, Nick Rivas Jr., Hilario Rodriguez, and Edward Fulghum. Honorary pallbearers: Jayse Arredondo, Ethan Corpus, Maddox Garcia, Mia, Ryah, Emmie, Nixon Sanchez, and Quinn Guerra.

Thank you, Stella/Momo, for the 71 years! It was not enough time, but we will cherish the years we were blessed to have you. Until we meet again. 

OAK PARK MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL

BEEVILLE, TEXAS

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