On September 11, 2023, Alma Sánchez Pérez, of San Angelo, was called home by our Heavenly Father at the age of 78.
Alma was born on January 8, 1945, in her grandmother’s home in the community of Sinaloa in Sonora, Texas. She was received into the Sánchez and Noriega families and was the eldest child of Alfredo and Marcelina Sánchez. After graduating from Sonora High School in 1963, she attended San Angelo College. She had the distinct honor of being part of the first graduating class of Angelo State College in 1967. After college graduation, she married Louis A. Pérez, Jr., also of Sonora, and moved to Lubbock, Texas, to begin her career as a schoolteacher. After the young couple’s first and only son was born, Louie A. Pérez, the family moved to San Angelo in 1974. They had two more children while living in their household on Stanton Street; Marisol Linda Pérez (1974) and Stephanie Regina Pérez (1975).
Alma was very active in the community throughout her life. She was in American G.I. Forum as a student, an active member of LULAC, she served as the director for the religious education program at St. Joseph's Church, she was a Southside Lioness, and she sat on several civic advisory boards in the San Angelo community. She spearheaded several citywide celebrations like Fiesta Patrias (Diez y Seis), Cinco de Mayo, and Chaired the Fiesta Del Concho. She was also one of the founding owners together with her spouse of La Unica Broadcasting Corporation which began in 1985. Alma taught naturalization and English classes to many in the community. She believed in mentoring countless individuals through education and advocacy. She also strongly encouraged Mexican Americans to engage in civic life through voting and participating in political activities.
Alma loved learning and books and read daily until her passing. From all kinds of genre and subjects, she read and studied widely and passionately, eagerly exploring a wide range of subjects and authors, especially Latino and Spanish literature. Her love for education was fulfilled when she received a Doctoral Degree (PhD) from the University of Texas in 2007 at the age of 62. Her last teaching position was a distant teaching position to graduate students at the University of Southern California (USC).
Those that will carry on her legacy and purpose are son Louie A. Pérez and wife, Amy of San Angelo; daughter Marisol L. Pérez and husband David Armendáriz of San Antonio; daughter Stephanie R. Minjarez and husband, Jesse Rene of San Angelo.
Grandchildren: Jordan Rene Minjarez and wife, Yvonne of San Angelo; Joshua I. Minjarez of Statesboro, Georgia; Jonah R. Minjarez of Arlington, Texas; Karina A. Pérez, Andrew Pérez of San Angelo, and Xiména Maria Armendáriz and Xótchitl Maria Flor Armendáriz of San Antonio, Texas.
Great Grandchildren: Anali Montserrat and Amiyah Grace Minjarez of San Angelo, Texas.
Extended Family: Hector (brother) and Carmen Sánchez of Sonora, Texas and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other familia de Sonora y Mexico.
Alma had many loyal and lifelong girlfriends: Josie, Dolores, Helen, Maggie, Dora, Noemi, Lydia, and Sally
Alma was preceded in death by her husband, Louis A. Pérez, Jr. † (2017)
Parents: Alfredo Sánchez † (2002) and Marcelina Noriega Sánchez † (2002)
A viewing and Rosary will be held at St Joseph Catholic Church in San Angelo, on Friday, September 15, 2023. Welcome & Visitation with the family will be held at 6:00PM with a Rosary at 7:00PM.
Her celebration of life and funeral service will be held at St Ann’s Catholic Church in Sonora, Texas on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 10:00 AM. Graveside service and interment will be held at the Sonora cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jordan Minjarez, Joshua Minjarez, Jonah Minjarez, Louis Andrew Pérez, John Henry Perez, and Anthony Sanchez.
The Pérez family cordially invites those who knew Alma to share any memories on the Love Funeral Home website.
Any flowers, notes or correspondence may be sent to: 112 W. College Ave., San Angelo, TX 76903.
Our heartfelt and thankful family will graciously accept any donations in her honor to Angelo Catholic School in San Angelo, Texas, or any catholic charity of your choice.
Through her death, she is now brought into new life. Sadly, our loving mother has passed from this present, temporary life to a more perfect, resting, and permanent one. In understanding that our mother’s earthly pilgrimage is done, we humbly pray that in the strength & glorious love of the Holy Spirit – she knew our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in faith on earth; and she now joyfully sees the Lord face-to-face in heaven. Therefore, Heavenly Father, please remember our beloved mother who has fallen asleep in the peace of your Son, Jesus the Christ, and all the faithful departed, whose faith in you alone have known. Kindly admit our beloved mother in the light of your face, and in the resurrection give her the fullness of life. Amen.
