Graciela E. Alanis

She is a 7th Generation Texan born from Spanish land grant ancestors in Laredo Texas.

Gracie’s life flourished along the Rio Grande Border pursuing her father’s assignments as a U.S. Customs Agent to Brownsville, McAllen, and Mercedes entry points.  She attended Mercedes High School in the late 60’s and graduated in 1967.  She then attended Texas A&I University in Kingsville and graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.  

Gracie was preceded in death by her parents, Alejandro and Esther Moreno. She is survived by her children’s father, Ernest Champion, her daughter Yvonne Champion, grandchildren Carter (Sarah) and Annika (Annie), son Ernest Champion (Tiffany), grandchildren Jefferson and Valerie.  She is also survived by her husband, Dr. Felipe Alanis, by step-sons Phillip (Irene) and Marco (Marissa).  Gracie had 5 brothers and sisters:  Alejandro (Carmen), Yolanda (Joe), Arabella (Isabel, Jr.), Rolando (Luule) and Gilberto (Toni) Moreno.   She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and first cousins that remained close in her life.

Gracie’s professional teaching career spanned over forty years. She started teaching in Mercedes ISD, moved to PSJA High School where she taught and educated all of us that it was NOT Homemaking---it was called Family and Consumer Sciences! Gracie then went on to teach in Ector County ISD in Odessa where she was instrumental in initiating a school for teenage moms that cared for the young children while their mothers attended the classes required for graduation. Following her husband’s career moves, she then taught in Harlingen ISD while living in San Benito. Ultimately, and without reservation or complaints, she completed her career in Austin ISD and retired in McAllen, Texas. Gracie would quip that our moving boxes did not have to be unpacked---they knew it wouldn’t be long before another move was in the horizon. She traveled as a student sponsor at Austin High School accompanying young adults to central Europe and visited France, Germany, England and other contiguous countries. Several of her students still remained close and in contact with her expressing their enduring gratitude and appreciation.

Gracie was a loving soul that paid tribute to her name. She was very much a people person who would light up a room with her sparkling smile and presence! She would make friends easily and her husband joked that she could make a rock speak. There were no strangers to her and she quickly called whomever she met after a few times, her “Dear Friend”. As a devout Catholic, Gracie quickly joined Catholic Daughters of the America’s, Court Queen of the Rosary, # 2368 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. As always, she befriended most of the members and participated in their activities and benevolent projects. She also joined a Zoom bible study group that held weekly sessions during the Covid pandemic. While a parishioner at OLS, she made several tours in Europe to visit holy sites and made even more acquaintances that enriched her life and theirs. She enjoyed traveling and had made several other trips with friends and family during her life visiting Peru, Canada, and Alaska. Family trips on cruises and Mexico excursions made lasting memories that generated humorous fodder for family reunions. Gracie also joined the Pan American Round Table and was so grateful to meet and participate in their mission of learning and supporting the countries of our Southern hemisphere. She also served on several volunteer organizations devoting her time, effort, and service to those in need. Gracie led a discipline lifestyle with daily exercise utilizing jazzercise and Zumba classes coupled with a healthy diet. Her love of walking either with her husband, friends, or along the beach at sunrise and sunset were her favorite pastimes. She was also an avid reader and enjoyed sharing the plots with sister Belle on a nightly basis. Friends loved her joy of cooking, baking, and most importantly tasting her delicious treats, which she so generously gave to relatives and friends. There are countless relatives, friends, acquaintances, and medical staff to thank for her time in the hospital and hospice.

The family personally wants to thank her daughter Yvonne Champion, her son Ernest Champion, and all her brothers and sisters for their prayers, concern, support, and assistance during her illness. Special thanks to Irene Alanis and her husband Dr. Phillip Alanis for going the extra mile to be at her side throughout Gracie’s illness these past nine months. We would also like to acknowledge her “DEAR FRIEND”, Gracie Ramos for her constant vigil, visits, and support. In addition, our appreciation to all other family members and friends who offered to assist and sent prayers, cards, flowers, calls, and sentiments of love. Our gratitude to the doctors, nurses, staff at MD Anderson and the entire staff at Amara Hospice. They are exemplary people who demonstrate compassion, expertise, and support every day, and we will be forever grateful to their service and mission. Our personal appreciation to Dr Linda Villarreal and her staff—they defined true professionalism and what every young doctor should emulate!

We offer our profound gratitude to ALL!! Her devotion, love and care shall live in our hearts for generations to come.   

Memorial gifts should be sent to

The Alanis Trevino Garza Student Scholarship Endowment at UTRGV

Our Lady of Sorrows Star of Hope

Visitation Services for Graciela Alanis will be Thursday July 21, 2022 from 5:00PM to 9:00PM and a rosary at 7:00PM at Funeraria Del Angel Palm Valley in Pharr, TX. A Catholic Mass will be held Friday July 22, 2022 at 11:00AM at Our Lady of Sorrows (small chapel) in McAllen, TX. A burial will follow at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens at 1:00PM in Pharr, TX.