Yolanda Sanchez Coco, aged 84, peacefully passed from her earthly home to her Heavenly mansion on November 12,, 2016. She was born April 12, 1932 to Leopoldo and Luisa Tories Morales in Mission, TX. In 1960, with her 5 children and her sister "Chita" in tow, she moved to Beaumont, Texas, where her brother Leo and his wife Lilia attended Lamar College. Yolanda established herself and provided opportunities for her children to become successful adults, a source of Yolanda's pride and joy.
Psalms 127: 3 Lo, children (are) an heritage of the Lord (and) and the fruit of the womb her reward.
She appreciated the opportunity to work for Mobil Chemical LDPE plant in Beaumont, Texas for 25 years before retiring. Yolanda enjoyed cooking with great passion, cooking foods of all cultures. She never refused a meal to anyone, including the hoboes that ran the rails. She would make tortilla tacos, wrap, and leave them on the back doorstep. We loved her homemade tortilla, the mainstay of our diet. Not only did Yolanda's generous heart and embracing, engaging spirit nurture us, she provided us all with memories that make us laugh and cry, mourn and rejoice. Yolanda's outgoing gregarious personality, love of music and great family gatherings provided us a loving environment excluding no one, the more the merrier. She loved being the "Reyna del paranda" or translated to "Queen of the Party". Crawfish boils will be less festive with her absence.
Yolanda was also an avid hunter and traveler, with the love of her life Charlie Coco. Traveling the United States and abroad, Yolanda shared her many travels as the adventures that they were.
Yolanda is survived by her five children, daughter Cynthia Sanchez Reeves, husband Michael, of Kirbyville, TX., daughter Diana Wilcox, significant other Daniel Beard of Spring, TX, son Oscar "Cowboy" Sanchez, Jr., wife Debra of Nederland, TX., son Charlie Sanchez, partner Barbara Berkley, of Beaumont, TX., son James O. Sanchez, of Carrollton, TX. and Yolanda's furry companion, Teddy.
Her five children gave Yolanda her proudest, greatest assets, 15 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Surviving siblings, brother, Leo Morales, Jr and wife Lilia of McAllen, TX, sister, Sagrario "Chita" Salas of McKinney, TX., sister Mary Lou Sullivan, husband Wiley of The Woodlands, TX, and countless nieces and nephews.
Yolanda is preceded in death by her parents and husband, and a host of siblings and grandchildren, brothers H. Genaro "Beto" Morales, of Port Arthur TX, Raul Morales of Grand Prairie, TX, and sister Maria Christina Bramlett of Nederland, TX.
Grandchildren awaiting to embrace "Grandma" in Heaven are Michael Kael Kristian Reeves of Kirbyville, TX, Cameron Reece Wilcox of Spring, TX, Natalie Martin Vincent, of Nederland, TX and Christian James Sanchez of Lewisville, TX.
"GG" get your Heavenly rocking chair because great grandson, Avery Vincent is waiting to be in your arms.
Special thanks to Patricia Wright Ozen, who cared and attended Charlie and later Yolanda Coco in their time of need. Patricia's faith inspired positive energy in the home.
The family of Yolanda Coco would also like to express gratitude and thanksgiving to those who provided care and comfort in Yolanda's final months, Riceland Hospice and staff, Jonathan, Sandra, Deanna, Roxie, Kenyatta, and April. A thank you to Debra and Oscar Sanchez for care during Yolanda's final months.
John 16: 22 Therefore you too have grief now, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
