May 21, 1952 ~ Feb. 19, 2025
With heavy hearts, our beloved, beautiful mother was called home to our Lord on February 19, 2025. Yolanda Garcia Sanchez, 72, of Anton, Texas passed away peacefully surrounded by family. She was born to Pedro and Consarcia (Ninfa) Garcia in Runge, Texas on May 21, 1952.
Yolanda was raised in a migrant family. At the age of two, her family moved to West Texas to pick cotton and later migrated to work with sugar beets. Her most memorable experience was working side by side with her father and mother. She cherished those memories of being together. She was the oldest of five siblings. When she was seven years old, living in the country, the boss parked an old school bus next to the water well. She pretended to be the bus driver and teacher to her younger siblings. Many hours were spent on that bus. Yolanda first began her career in education as a teacher's aid in Anton ISD. After graduating Texas Tech University with a degree in Elementary Education, Bilingual/ ESL, and Early Education, she taught Kindergarten in Anton for five years. Yolanda's tenure with Region 17 Education Service Center (ESC 17) began July 1, 1989. She was hired as a Migrant Early Childhood Specialist to assist with the Bilingual/ESL Cooperative program in its early stages. The summer before the Migrant Early Childhood program was implemented, she was recruited to help write the curriculums for "Building Bridges" and "Stepping Stones". Working with migrant students and their parents has been the most meaningful part of her employment at ESC 17.
Mom has enjoyed a wide variety of activities/hobbies which include fishing, boating, walking, gardening, sewing, baking, and being involved with the Catholic church. Her granddaughters participated in Ballet Folklorico Azlan. She absolutely loved watching them perform in their vibrant dresses. Her schedule was busy attending her grandson's sports events every weekend. She loved to travel, dining out, and dance with her companion, Samuel De Leon whom she loved dearly. He brought joy and laughter to her life. Samuel was very caring to our mother.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Pedro and Ninfa Garcia. She is survived by her siblings, Pedro (Julia) Garcia, Matilda (Frank) Elizondo, Daniel Garcia, and Andres Garcia; her children, Jose Luis Sonny Sanchez, Maria Luisita (Jr.) Alafa; grandchildren, Stace Morgan, Cadence Sanchez, Elijah Alafa, Alisiah Alafa, Isaiah Alafa, and Noah Alafa; and great granddaughter, Eliyanah Alafa.
Funeral mass was held Tuesday morning, February 25, 2025 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Anton, Texas. Rosary was said Monday evening at Hillcrest Funeral Home in Littlefield, Texas. Interment followed in Anton Cemetery. Arrangements are under the personal care of Hillcrest Funeral Home in Littlefield.