Carolina O. Sanchez, 99, our Matriarch loving mother, the heart of our family, was called to rest in the House of the Lord on Saturday, May 10, 2025, surrounded by her children.  She was affectionately known as Lil' Grandma to her grandchildren.  Carolina was born to Lucas and Beatriz Oliva in Corpus Christi, TX on March 13,1926.  It was hard times growing up back then.  Her strong work ethic started at a young age, exiting school to start working to help her parents with the income. A few years later, in 1943, a notice came out in the local newspaper recruiting women to work at the Overhaul and Repair Facility at Naval Air Base for the war effort WWII. She applied, accepted, and began working to repair the airplanes, thereby becoming an iconic Rosie the Riveter.   In April 2024, she received an invitation from the Speaker of the House in Washington, DC to accept a Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, a most prestigious Civilian award presented by Congress, along with others.  She was so honored to receive it and we are so proud of her in supporting the troops fighting for our Country's freedom.

In 1947, she resigned from her Aircraft job on Base when she met and got engaged to the love of her life, Fermin G. Sanchez, whom she met at a dance through her big brother, Chris Oliva.  Together they raised 6 children, 4 boys and 2 girls.  In 1959, they relocated to Oakland Calif. staying there 8 years.  Her and Fermin were active in the American G.I. Forum and Carolina was Treasurer of the Oakland Chapter.  Carolina was missing her mother and father longing to return to her hometown.  Fermin then transferred and moved his family back to Corpus.  Their loving marriage was a beautiful testament of faith, hope, love, and devotion.

Our mother opened her house to everyone with her sweet gentle spirit, big heart, and amazing cooking.  Thanksgiving and Christmas were her favorite holidays since she loved being surrounded by family.

After her children had all grown, in 1970, she went back to finish school.  Also that same year, she attended Alladdin Beauty College and obtained her Cosmetology Certificate.  Later she held jobs at Globe Jewelry Dept and then at Lichenstein's downtown.   In 1976, Carolina started working with Nueces County Community Action Agency Headstart, completing her Child Development Associate training @ TX A&I Kingsville.  She worked as a  Headstart teacher for 20 years teaching 3 to 5 year olds and obtained Early Childhood Development Associate in 1978.  Carolina was the recipient of many Certificates of Recognition, Awards, and Training for Teamwork, Training for Handicapped, Social Services Award, Behavorial Studies, and countless more.

Carolina was a devout Catholic and faithful servant of the Lord and her presence will be missed praising God on the 3rd pew, right side.  She taught Catechism together with Fermin for many years getting children prepared to receive their Holy Sacraments.  She was also a member of the Puente Choir at Holy Family for 8 years and very charitable to the Church and Diocese.  Carolina made her Cursillo- De Colores in 1972.   Carolina was a Hospital volunteer for 16 years making Holy rosaries at the old Memorial Hospital and volunteered  at the Information Desk at Christus Spohn South. She was an Honorary Lifetime Volunteer accumulating thousands of volunteer hours.

Beyond her work, Carolina was an avid seamstress and would create and make dresses with ruffles, pinafores, and petticoats for her daughters and doing alterations for her friends.  Carolina found joy in her garden growing Hibiscus, roses, verbena, bottle brush plants, and many others.  Her favorite pastimes were making picture albums, playing Bingo, Lotieria, Rummy 500, and loved to go gambling at Lake Charles and Las Vegas.   Carolina's favorite teams were the Oakland Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Houston Astros, TX Longhorns, and the CC Hooks.  Whether cheering from the sidelines, or cooking her delicious Mexican meals and tortillas, Carolina was the heart and precious jewel of her family.

Carolina was preceded in death and reunited in Heaven with her beloved husband of 70 years, Fermin G. Sanchez, her loving son, John Richard Sanchez, and two grandsons, Christopher and Damian Sanchez.

She leaves behind her children, Fermin O. Sanchez (Deborah), Guadalupe - Bob Sanchez, Irene S. Amador, Roel O. Sanchez (Janie), and Nancy Ramirez (David), 9 grandchildren  Fermin (Kim) Sanchez III, Albert Sanchez, Bryan (Amy) Sanchez, Antoinette (Richard) Perez, Shawn Caballero, Matthew (Grace Flores) Caballero, Candice (Jake Gonzalez) Caballero, Justus Sanchez, Christine Sanchez and 11 great grandchildren Chloe Sanchez, Andrew Sanchez, Ryan Sanchez, Mia Sanchez, Christian (Sasha) Sanchez, Sydney (Matthew) Gresham, Noah Perez, Isaac Perez, Serenity Caballero, Jake Gonzalez, Jr. and Javen Lee Martinez and 4 great-great grandchildren Emiliana Sanchez, Briggs and Baylor Sanchez, Oliver Gresham who were all the sparkle of her life, and her loving, caring sister Delia Curiel of Sacramento, Calif., and the family pet, Rocky, and numerous loving nieces and nephews.

Carolina would always emphasize to her children to stay close to God and to stay united as a family.  She was the heart that kept her family close together.  Her legacy of love, gentleness, and faith will live on In each of us.  Her relatives and friends also experienced her zealousness for giving, gifting, and support, whenever someone needed it.  While her presence will be deeply missed, her spirit remains in every garden bloom, every family gathering, and every shared prayer.  We want to say thank you to all for your love, support, and prayers during this difficult time.

Public visitation will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at Guardian funeral home chapel with a Holy rosary and Celebration of Carolina's life to begin at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue on Friday, May 16, 2025 starting at 8:30 a.m. with the funeral procession to depart Guardian at 10:30 a.m for an 11:00 a.m. Funeral Mass at Holy Family Catholic church.  Burial will follow at the Coastal Bend State Veterans cemetery.  A Reception will be held at the Guardian Hall 5813 Ayers St.

Pallbearers will be Fermin Sanchez, III, Bryan Sanchez, Shawn Caballero, Justus Sanchez, Matthew Caballero and Noah Perez.