MARY HELEN ARELLANO SANCHEZ

September 15, 1953 - November 4, 2021

A Catholic funeral mass service will be celebrated for Mary Helen Arellano Sanchez at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church located at 2005 Walnut Street in Colorado City, Texas, with Father Michael Udegbunam officiating. Burial committal will follow to the Mitchell County Cemetery. Funeral service arrangements are under the care and direction of Gonzales Funeral Home of Lamesa, Texas. A Rosary prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 19, 2021 at the residence of Laura and Frank Garcia. On November 4, 2021, Mary Helen Arellano Sanchez of Lamesa, Texas went home into the loving arms of God the Father Almighty at the age of 68. Mary Helen was born into this world on September 15, 1953 to Canuto Arellano and Francisca Arellano. Never afraid of hard work, she was happiest when working on the farm whether it be raising cattle or picking cotton and had a work ethic that was unmatched. In 1993 she started her career in criminal justice and went to work for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) until her retirement in 2010. Upon her retirement, Mary Helen spent her time with her loved ones and especially her grandchildren. Ever the doting mother and grandmother, she lived for her family, watching her grandkids grow, play sports and was a regular fixture at their school functions. Never one to stay still, she loved the outdoors and outdoor activities. She enjoyed hunting, fishing, shooting, camping, and tending to her garden where she grew peppers to make her signature hot sauce. All who knew her have their own Mary Helen stories whether it be her words of wisdom, or her wit. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a memorable laugh that was as loud as it was contagious! Mary Helen is survived by her daughter Laura and her husband Frank Garcia of Loraine, TX., her son Marcos and wife Stacie Sanchez of Lamesa, TX., her son, Fortino Robert Sanchez of Lubbock, TX., her daughter-in-law Julianna of Lamesa, TX., her grandchildren Damian, Darrian, Francisco Michael, Gabriel Garcia, Amiah Hernandez, Kylie, Gabriella, Robert Sanchez, and her great-granddaughter Evangeline Garcia. Her siblings, include Ramon Arellano and his wife Susie, Canuto Arellano, Jr. and his wife Priscilla, Carolina Arellano, Linda Ramirez and her husband Lorenzo, Manuel Arellano and his wife Rhonda, Rick Arellano and his wife Michelle, and sister-in-law Connie Arellano and leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Canuto Arellano, Sr. and Francisca Arellano, and brothers, Ruben, Roberto, Juan Arellano and Jimmy Martinez.