Paula Sanchez

August 10, 1935 - December 4, 2020

Paula Castañeda Sanchez, 85, was welcomed home into her Lord and Savior’s arms on December 4, 2020. Paula was born August 10, 1935, in Anahuac, Nuevo León, Mexico to Pascual Castañeda and Delfina Gallegos. She married José Sanchez, and together they had eight children. Paula is preceded in death by José Sanchez, her parents, her siblings, and son, Juan Carlos Sanchez. Paula’s greatest joy was her children. Though she and her husband, José, went through many struggles in early life, they immigrated to the United States in the 60s in search of a better life for their children through education. Once in the United States, nothing was too small for Paula to work on and perfect. This is seen most in her tortilla recipe that she mastered as she helped to open and cook for Ricardo’s Tortilla Bakery, still producing Paula’s tortillas today. Hard work is something that Paula made sure to instill in her children. This was Paula’s love language. She wanted people to know her love through her insistence that her children learn that nothing comes easy but is not impossible and pass that work ethic on to their children. Her grandchildren were often the recipients of the fruits of her labor in the form of food, her sewing projects, and special conversations that normally ended in laughter. Though the same language wasn’t always spoken between them, she made sure each one knew her love. She set an example of helping others by never letting anyone she knew go hungry. If help was needed, Paula was the first in line to offer. Along with helping others, she enjoyed feeding people, especially her family, gardening and reading. She will be remembered as a strong woman dedicated to her children and family. While later in life Paula lost the ability to remember the faces, names and memories held with people, her family will cherish those memories for her and work hard to carry on her method of loving through hard work and strength. Paula is survived by one brother, Lupe Castañeda of Brownwood, TX, sons, Salvador Sanchez and wife Olivia of San Angelo, TX, José “Marcial” Sanchez and wife Micaela Sanchez of Plano, TX, José Alonso “Joe” Castañeda of Brownwood, TX, as well as her daughters, Romelia “Romey” Boykin of Euless, TX, Mary “Monina” Wallace and husband Kerry of Burleson, TX, Patricia Bastardo and husband Pete Bastardo of Brownwood, TX, and Rosa “Rose” Amelia Sanchez of Midland. Paula is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and 1 great- great- granddaughter. Paula leaves behind a great legacy of putting hard work in everything that is done, big or small, a belief in being strong, and the power of family. While tears are shed and hearts are hurting, comfort comes in the form of knowing that she was met by her husband and son in Heaven, for anyone who knew Paula knows that her family is love.