Merita C. Sandoval

Merita Sandoval, 72, of Odessa, TX passed away Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Yukon, OK with her daughters by her side.

Merita was born on September 25, 1952, in Cedar Vale, KS to Lela & Merritt White. As the youngest of 4 kids and with an 18-year age gap between her and her oldest sibling, Donald, she was quite the surprise, but a very welcome surprise. She grew up in Cedar Vale, KS, and after graduating from Cedar Vale High School in 1970, she left Kansas and experienced life in various places; Oklahoma, Virginia, Panama, North Dakota, and finally settling in Odessa, TX in 1988. During this time, she had two daughters, Michelle (“Britney”) in 1972 and Jennifer (“Heather”) in 1980, continuing the sibling age gap trend. Odessa, TX is where she met her husband, David Ramirez Sandoval and they married on September 28, 1995, in Las Vegas, NV. Marrying David brought her a great gift. A bonus son, Devin, who she raised and loved as her own. Her love for him was as strong as the love for her daughters, and eventually her grand and great-grandchildren. Merita was the Community Development Director for the City of Odessa for 28 years before her retirement in 2024. She LOVED her job and was always striving to make Odessa a better place to live. She will be missed by so many who loved and knew her.

Merita is preceded in death by her son, Devin Sandoval; her parents, Lela & Merritt White; her sister, Barbara; and her brother, Donald.

She is survived by her husband, David Ramirez Sandoval; her sister, Nicole Toogood; her daughter, Michelle Ableman and husband, Jeremy; her daughter, Jennifer Carel and husband, Joe; grandchildren, Hailey, Steven, Daniel, Ruby, Evan, Zeiden and Ryan; great grandchildren, Weston, Grayson, Hudson, Jagger, Brixton and Seager.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 21, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.

Services will be held Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 10:00 AM, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Steven Woolbright Colten Break Fire Chief Jason Cotton Varrien Pride Ryan Alvarez Michael Devito.

The family wishes to express their thanks to NP Potter; Nurses Angela, Brandie and Indini; and Dr. Khanna at Integris Canadian Valley in Yukon, OK for their care and compassion