Maria Guadalupe Sanders

MARIA GUADALUPE SANDERS

June 9, 1949 – December 23, 2024

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother Maria Guadalupe Sanders. “Lupita” left us on Monday, December 23, 2024, peacefully, and surrounded by her family who will miss her dearly. 

She was a loving mother and grandmother, a devoted wife, and a most treasured sister and friend. Lupita was a radiant beauty, both inside and out, and a woman of great faith; her radiance and love for the Lord was felt far and wide throughout her life. 

Lupita, or Nena, as she was so lovingly called by her family, was born on June 9, 1949, in Laredo, Texas, to Jose and Guadalupe Alvarado. She was one of nine children. She married Arturo Gomez in 1973 and lived and worked in Laredo, where she raised her daughters Cordelia (Cordy) and Monica. She lost her late husband Arturo too soon in 1994. 

She spent her early years working at Sears and Roebuck, then finally found her place at Allstate Insurance Co, where she discovered that she truly enjoyed helping people. She was known to be a joy to her customers and a little beacon of light in their time of need. 

She was blessed to find love again in the kindest soul James (Jim) Sanders, whom she married in 1998; They moved to San Antonio in 2009. He was a loving support to her until the end of her life. 

In San Antonio, she focused her days volunteering at various Catholic Churches and organizations. She loved being a catechism teacher and spreading her faith to young children. She joined the newcomers of San Antonio and began to participate in fun faith centered fellowships with her new friends. 

Anyone who knew her would know that of most importance to Lupita was her faith, passed onto by her late mother, along with her abundant love for her family and friends. May she continue to shine her light upon all of her loved ones from heaven.

She was preceded in death by her parents Jose and Guadalupe Alvarado; her late husband Arturo Gomez; her brother Ramon Alvarado; her fathers-in-law Santiago Gomez and Marion (Jim) Sanders; her mothers-in-law Beatriz Gomez and Mary Sanders; her brothers-in-law Leandro Gonzalez, Alberto Gomez, and Santiago Gomez; and her sisters-in-law Idalia Alvarado and Rosa Alvarado.

She is survived by her husband James Sanders; daughters Cordelia (Eduardo) Garza-Gongora and Monica (Isabelle) Gomez; step-daughters Tanya Garza and Romy Sanders (Roni Liberman); grandchildren Joaquin Garza-Gongora, Marcella Garza-Gongora, Alexia Garza-Gongora, David James Garza, Jacob Garza, Noah Garza, and Avigail Liberman. 

She will be forever remembered by her siblings Jose (Mary) Alvarado, Roberto (Cindy) Alvarado, Daniel (Marilyn) Alvarado, Teresa (Antonio) Colecio, Ricardo (Teresa) Alvarado, Francisca (Robert) Thornhill, and Rene (Sonia) Alvarado; her sisters-in-law Berta (Eduardo) Garcia, Angela Gomez, Carol Dozier and Sally Daniels; and countless cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. 

The family will be receiving condolences on Thursday evening, January 2, 2025 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd.; where a Vigil for the Deceased and Rosary will commence at 7 p.m.

Funeral Services will be conducted on Friday morning, January 3, 2025 departing at 9:30 a.m. from Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels to San Martin de Porres Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m.

Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the family plot of the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. 

You may express your condolences, share your favorite memories, and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.