Catarina Esparza

Catarina Franco Esparza, age 84, passed away on the morning of November 15, 2018.

Catarina was born on March 5, 1934 in Terlingua, TX, to Vicente and Santos Franco. She grew up in a small town of Study Butte, in the Big Bend area. She married the love of her life, Brijido Esparza on September 14, 1949. They settled in Rankin, TX where they raised their three children, Brijido, Jr., Yolanda and Naldo.

They spent nearly 70 years in Rankin before moving to Odessa to be closer to family.

Catarina was one of a kind. She always seemed to make a living on buying and selling. If there was ever anything you needed, you knew that the house across the tracks in Rankin was the first place to go.

Catarina was a loving, caring, and hard-working mother. Her family was her pride and joy. Family gatherings were always located at Catarina and Brijido's house. She loved to be with her family, and her family loved to be around her. She loved to dance and have a great time.

She was a very devoted catholic, and spiritual woman. There was nothing like her goodbyes, which always came with a prayer and her blessings.

Catarina was the beloved wife of Brijido Esparza, the loving mother to Brijido Jr, Yolanda and her husband, Rosendo Abalos of Odessa, Naldo and his wife, Leigh Anne Esparza of San Angelo; six grandchildren, Joaquin Abalos, Davene Abalos, Paula Abalos, Tyler Esparza, Teague Esparza, and Baylor Esparza; great grandchildren, Caty Pacheco, Rey Pacheco, Cain Abalos, Taylen Esparza, Molly Abalos, Amber Carrasco, Zariah Carrasco, Vincent and Gabby Galindo; great great grandchild, Oaklynn Carrasco; her six siblings, Julian Franco, Reymundo Franco, Benafacio Franco, Juanita Sarabia, Rita Aboytes and Alicia Garcia. Catarina also had many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Rosary will be held Monday, November 19, 2018 at 7:00 PM, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Chapel.

Funeral services will be held in Rankin at 1:00 PM, at the Rankin Community Center on Tuesday, November 20, 2018. Burial will follow at the Rankin Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Joaquin Abalos, Cain Abalos, Tyler Esparza, Teague Esparza, Rey Pacheco and Rey Franco.

Honorary Pallbearers will be: Mundito Franco, Junior Franco, Peti Sarabia, Junior Cuellar, Bobby Garcia and Edmundo Garcia.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home. To send family condolences please sign her guestbook at www.sunsetodessa.com.

Visitation

Service

Cemetery