Jessie D Sanchez

Jesse Neal Sanchez, better known to her family as "Dida", was a beloved great grandmother, grandmother, mother, and wife during her incredible 95 years of life. She passed away peacefully in the early hours of Sunday, January 31, 2022. 

Jesse, or "Dida" better known to her family, had a long and full life. She was born on November 28, 1922, in Alexandria, LA to two loving parents, SimmieEzra, and Mary Irene Pearce. Her father was a hard-working caring and loving father, and her mother was a homemaker. Dida had one younger sibling, Donald DeVille. 

Dida met the love of her life, Abel “Papa” Sanchez, while he was on base in Louisiana. She told us that from the first moment she saw him, she thought he was the most handsome man in the world. Then they decided to marry.  Their love for one another was something of fairy tales and an example of how to love your spouse, family, and life, that not one of us can ever repay them for. 

The life that Dida lived was incredible. Her insatiable love for her catholic faith, her incredible passion for cooking, and her unconditional love for her three sons, Abel "Pookie" Sanchez, Donald "Buddy" Sanchez, and Jeffery Renee Sanchez were what kept her busy for sure. Life with three boys, Sanchez Boys at that, was never short of crazy adventures, to say the least, and most definitely our favorite stories to hear. 

When the grandchildren started to roll in around 1972 the once empty-nesters had a whole new reason to be proud of their already incredible family. The world of a Sanchez child, grandchild, and great-grandchild was one of the extravagant wonders! I am almost positive we all never heard the word "N0" and if we did it was very rare and most definitely warranted and understood.  Our Christmas tradition was one that Dida held so very tight to her heart and ran that holiday like a general going into battle! Not only was it the day our Lord and Savior was born but also the day every one of us was there together in her home. Dressed to the nines in dresses, snappy shoes, ruffle socks, and hair bows all purchased by our Papa & Dida. The days of watching each other rip open gifts side by side our entire family, as we are looked upon with admiration and undying love by our grandparents; our memories burned so deeply into our souls that not one of us can smell turkey, the oh so famous giblet gravy, and Papa's Polo cologne and not be instantly transported to that very moment.

Jesse "Dida" Sanchez was a woman of grit, tenacity, and the biggest "spitfire" of a woman that will forever be a legend in the eyes of us all! 

She is preceded in death by her husband Abel Leoncio Sanchez "Papa", her son Lee Sanchez her parents SimmieEzra, and Mary Irene Pearce, her only sibling Donald Ray her sister-in-law Juanita Migues.

Jesse "Dida" Sanchez is survived by her Sons Donald James/Nilda Rodriguez and Jeffrey Rene (Sonata) her grandchildren; Candice, Audra, Heather, Meranda, Ashley, Keirsten, and grandson AJ. Great-grandchildren; Brooke, Braden, Tristan, Camryn, Bryson, McKayla, McKenna, Cannon, Lyla Grace, Abel Rene, Byron Jeffrey, and numerous nieces and nephews.

As, Jesse Sanchez, is rejoicing in heaven with her beloved husband and first-born son, all of us here will be smiling as we remember her dancing in the kitchen while she paraded around with her arms raised to her sides as she sings "Jesus loves me, yes I know for the bible tells us so"! Didn't he though!!! He gave us the most amazing woman to lead us into the battle called life and guide us with unwavering strength on how to become and be not only followers of Christ, strong individuals but devoted to the family she was so proud of.